Query: five great epics of Tamil literature

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Agriculture in ancient Tamil country <=SEP=> During the Sangam age, 200 BCE - 200 CE, agriculture was the main vocation of the Tamils. It was considered a necessity for life, and hence was treated as  the foremost among all occupations. The farmers or the Ulavar were placed right at the top of the social classification. As they were the producers of food grains, they lived with self-respect.

Chithalai Chathanar <=SEP=> Sattanar or Chithalai Sathanar (Tamil: சாத்தனார், cītalai cāttanār) was the Tamil poet who composed the epic Manimekalai.

Chola dynasty <=SEP=> The Chola dynasty (also called Choda and Cholan) was an ancient dynasty of southern India. Together with the Chera and Pandya dynasties, the Cholas formed the three main dynasties of Iron Age India, who were collectively known as the Three Crowned Kings.

Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi <=SEP=> Civaka Cintamani (Tamil: சீவக சிந்தாமணி Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi) is a classical epic poem. It is a Jain religious epic authored by Tirutakkatevar. Civaka Cintamani means "fabulous gem", is also known by alternative name Manannul (Tamil: மண நூல்) or "Book of Marriages".It is considered one of the five great Tamil epics according to later Tamil literary tradition, the others being Manimegalai, Silappadikaram, Valayapathi and Kundalakesi. In its form, it anticipates the Ramayana of Kambar.

Education in ancient Tamil country <=SEP=> Education was considered important in Ancient Tamizhagam as they considered the mind of the uneducated to be an "abode of darkness". The period of acquiring knowledge was during youth.The rulers and aristocrats of ancient Tamilakam were always conscious of their duties to their country. They considered development of education as an important duty. So the kings and chieftains took all measures for the education of people.

Epic of Gilgamesh <=SEP=> The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia. Dating from the Third Dynasty of Ur (circa 2100 BC), it is often regarded as the first great work of literature. The literary history of Gilgamesh begins with five Sumerian poems about 'Bilgamesh' (Sumerian for 'Gilgamesh'), king of Uruk. These independent stories were later used as source material for a combined epic.

Epic poetry <=SEP=> An epic (from the Ancient Greek adjective ἐπικός (epikos), from ἔπος (epos) "word, story, poem") is a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation. Milman Parry and Albert Lord have argued that the Homeric epics, the earliest works of Western literature, were fundamentally an oral poetic form.  These works form the basis of the epic genre in Western literature.

Essenes <=SEP=> The Essenes (in Modern Hebrew: אִסִּיִים, Isiyim; Greek: Εσσήνοι, Εσσαίοι, or Οσσαίοι, Essḗnoi, Essaíoi, Ossaíoi) were a sect of Second Temple Judaism that flourished from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE which some scholars claim seceded from the Zadokite priests.

Gajabahu synchronism <=SEP=> Gajabahu synchronism is the chronological device used by historians to help date early Tamil history.  The synchronism, first propounded by V. Kanakasabhai Pillai in 1904 in his "The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years ago" was adopted by some scholars of the time to date Tamil literature.  Kamil Zvelebil, even while acknowledging the fragility of the synchronism, called it the "sheet anchor" of the dating of Tamil literature.

Hamsa (literature) <=SEP=> Hamsa (also Khamsah, Khamsa, Khamseh, Hamsah) in Persian and Turkish literature, is a set of five long epic poems composed in rhyming couplet, or masnavi, form. Khamseh takes its name from the five great epic poems written by Nezami (q.v.; d. 1209) and entitled Khamseh "\The Quintuplet").

History of Tamil Nadu <=SEP=> The region of Tamil Nadu in modern India has been reported to have continuous human habitation from 15,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE. Throughout its history, spanning the early Upper Paleolithic age to modern times, this region has coexisted with various external cultures. Except for relatively short periods in its history, the Tamil region has remained independent of external occupation.The three ancient Tamil empires of Chera, Chola, and Pandya  were of ancient origins.

Ilango Adigal <=SEP=> Ilango Adigal was a Chera prince from the 2nd century AD/CE, who is the author of Silappathikaram, one of the five great epics of Tamil literature. Ilango was the brother of Kodungallur- or Muziris-based  Chera king Cheran Chenguttuvan or Cheralathana Chenguttavan.

Indian epic poetry <=SEP=> Indian epic poetry is the epic poetry written in the Indian subcontinent, traditionally called Kavya (or Kāvya; Sanskrit: काव्य, IAST: kāvyá). The Ramayana and Mahabharata, originally composed in Sanskrit and translated thereafter into many other Indian languages, are some of the oldest surviving epic poems on earth and form part of itihāsa, which roughly means tradition, or (oral) history.

Indian literature <=SEP=> Indian literature refers to the literature produced on the Indian subcontinent until 1947 and in the Republic of India thereafter. The Republic of India has 22 officially recognized languages.All dates about the ancient Indian literature are not only uncertain, but are contested. European scholars from the 18th century onwards estimated dates of various texts based on methods that Indian scholars consider arbitrary. The earliest works of Indian literature were orally transmitted.

Industry in ancient Tamil country <=SEP=> During the Sangam age, industrial activity was considered ancillary to agriculture and was mostly domestic, not factory-based. Simple workshops where the blacksmith made the wheel or the carpenter his wooden wares could be called factories of a sort. Weaving, pearl fishing, smithy and ship building were some of the prominent industries of the ancient Tamil country.

Jainism <=SEP=> Jainism (/ˈdʒeɪnɪzəm/ or /ˈdʒaɪnɪzəm/), traditionally known as the Jina śāsana or Jain dharma, is one of the oldest Indian religions and belongs to the śramaṇa tradition. It prescribes a path of nonviolence (ahimsa) towards all living beings. Practitioners believe non-violence and self-control are the means to liberation. The three main principles of Jainism are non-violence, non-absolutism (anekantavada) and non-possessiveness (aparigraha).

Jewellery of Tamil Nadu <=SEP=> Tamil people are fond of golden jewellery, which has a history long before Sangam period. Ancient Tamil literature list out what are the different types of jewellery worn by women from top to toe on those days. That can be very well evidenced from the sculptures we find today.

Kambar (poet) <=SEP=> Kambar (Kamban in casual address) (Tamil: கம்பர்) (c. 1180, Tiruvaluntur, Tanjore district, India – 1250) was a medieval Tamil poet and the author of the Ramavataram, popularly known as Kambaramayanam, the Tamil version of Ramayana. Kambar also authored other literary works in Tamil, such as 'Thirukkai Vazakkam',Erezhupathu, Silaiezhupathu, Kangai Puranam, sadagopar anthathi, and Sarasvati Anthati.

Kannagi (film) <=SEP=> Kannagi (Tamil: கண்ணகி) is a Tamil epic film directed by R.S Mani based on the Greatest Tamil epic Silapadhigaaram released in 1942.  This is the first Tamil film based on the epic Silapadhigaaram.  A similar second movie named Poompuhar released later in 1964.Directed by R.S Mani, music by S. V. Venkatraman and Lyrics by Udumalai Narayana Kavi

Karthigesu Sivathamby <=SEP=> Karthigesu Sivathamby (May 10, 1932 – July 6, 2011), born in Karaveddy, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, was an emeritus professor of University of Jaffna. Sivathamby has written and published more than 70 books and monographs and presented and published 200 papers at international seminars and journals on Sri Lankan Tamil history and literature. He was awarded Thiru V. Kalyanasundaram Award by the government of Tamil Nadu in India in recognition of his services to Tamil language.

Kovalan <=SEP=> Kovalan (Tamil: கோவலன்) is a central character in the ancient Tamil epic Silappatikaram.

Kundalakesi <=SEP=> Kundalakesi (Tamil: குண்டலகேசி Kuṇṭalakēci) is a fragmentary Tamil Buddhist epic written by Nathakuthanaar. It is one of The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature according to later Tamil literary tradition, with the other four being Silappatikaram, Manimekalai, Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi and Valayapathi.  The first mention of the "Aimperumkappiyam" (lit. Five large epics) occurs in Mayilainathar's commentary of Nannūl. However, Mayilainathar does not mention the names of the five epics.

List of world folk-epics <=SEP=> World folk-epics are those epics which are not just literary masterpieces but also an integral part of the weltanschauung of a people. They were originally oral literatures, which were later written down by either single author or several writers.

Madhavi (Silappatikaram) <=SEP=> Madhavi is an important character in the Silappatikaram, one of the epics in Tamil literature. Silapathikaram is the first Kappiyam (epic) among the five in Tamil literature. It belongs to the Sangam Period. She was a dancer and on those days these kind of people are made in the society to recreate the people, particularly those who are rich in their wealth.

Madurai Tamil Sangam <=SEP=> Madurai Tamil Sangam also known as 4th Tamil Sangam  was a language academy founded by Prince Paandi Thurai Thevar and other Tamil language scholars to promote the use of Tamil language and Tamil culture in the late 19th century in British held India. It was modeled after the legendary Sangams of Madurai city as mentioned in ancient Tamil literature. As there were three Tamil Sangams before, this one was considered to be the fourth one.

Mahabharata <=SEP=> The Mahabharata or Mahābhārata (US /məhɑːˈbɑrətə/; UK /ˌmɑːhəˈbɑːrətə/; Sanskrit: महाभारतम्, Mahābhāratam, pronounced [məɦaːˈbʱaːrət̪əm]) is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Ramayana.The Mahabharata is an epic narrative of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kaurava and the Pandava princes. It also contains philosophical and devotional material, such as  a discussion of the four "goals of life" or purusharthas (12.161).

Manimekalai <=SEP=> Manimekalai  (Tamil: மணிமேகலை), by  poet Chithalai Chathanar, is one of the The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature according to later Tamil literary tradition.  Manimekalai is a poem in 30 cantos. Its story is a sequel to another of the Five Great Epics, Silappatikaram, and tells the story of the conversion to Buddhism of the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi.

Manimekalai (1959 film) <=SEP=> Manimekalai (Tamil: மணிமேகலை) is a Tamil film starring T. R. Mahalingam and P. Bhanumathi. The film was released in the year 1959.

Naccinarkiniyar <=SEP=> Naccinarkiniyar (fl. ca. 14th century AD) was a classical Tamil writer and commentator of the medieval period.

Nannūl <=SEP=> Nannūl (Tamil: நன்னூல்) is a work on Tamil grammar written by Pavananthi Munivar around 13th century AD. It is the most significant work on Tamil grammar after Tolkāppiyam. The work credits Western Ganga vassal king Seeya Gangan of Kolar with patronising it.Nannūl was divided into five sections: written language, spoken language, semantics, poetic language and rhetorical devices.

Neelakesi <=SEP=> Neelakesi (Tamil: Nīlakēci) is an epic of Jainism. Tamil literary tradition places it among the five lesser Tamil epics, along with Naga kumara kaviyam, Udhyana kumara Kaviyam, Yasodhara Kaviyam and Soolamani. It is a polemical work written as a Jain rebuttal to the Buddhist criticism in the Great Tamil epic Kundalakesi.Nilakesi "The Blue-Haired" tells the story of the Jain nun of the same name who was a rival of the Buddhist protagonist of the Kundalakesi.

Pahruli <=SEP=> Pahruli (Tamil:பஃறுளி, Pahruli) is the ancient river located in sunken landmass of Kumari Kandam which is referred to in Tamil literature. The Silappadhikaram, one of the Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature written in first few centuries CE, states that the "cruel sea" took the Pandiyan land that lay between the rivers Pahruli and the mountainous banks of the Kumari, to replace which the Pandiyan king conquered lands belonging to the Chola and Chera kings (Maturaikkandam, verses 17-22).

Periya Puranam <=SEP=> The Periya Puranam (Tamil: பெரிய‌ புராண‌ம்), that is, the great purana or epic, sometimes called Tiruttontarpuranam "\Tiru-Thondar-Puranam", the Purana of the Holy Devotees) is a Tamil poetic account depicting the legendary lives of the sixty-three Nayanars, the canonical poets of Tamil Shaivism. It was compiled during the 12th century by Sekkizhar.

Philippine literature <=SEP=> Philippine literature is the literature associated with the Philippines and includes the legends of prehistory, and the colonial legacy of the Philippines. Pre-Hispanic Philippine literature were actually epics passed on from generation to generation originally through oral tradition. However, wealthy families, especially in Mindanao were able to keep transcribed copies of these epics as family heirloom. One such epic was the Darangen, epic of the Maranaos of Lake Lanao.

Poompuhar (film) <=SEP=> Poompuhar (Tamil:  பூம்புகார்) is a Tamil epic film directed by P. Neelakantan based on one of The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature Silapadhigaaram in 1964. This is the second movie produced based on Silapadhigaaram epic after the first movie Kannagi in 1942.SS. Rajendran, C. R. Vijayakumari, Rajasree & K. B. Sundarambal played the lead roles, directed by P. Neelakantan.  Song lyrics by Mayavanathan, A. Somu, Mu Karunanidhi, Radha Manickam & Udumalai Narayana Kavi and music by R. Sudarsanam

Project Madurai <=SEP=> Project Madurai (மதுரை தமிழ் இலக்கிய மின்தொகுப்புத் திட்டம்) is a voluntary initiative to publish free versions of ancient Tamil literature on the Internet.  Texts are published in both TSCII and Unicode formats. The project was led by Dr. K. Kalyanasundaram, Lausanne, Switzerland (Project Leader) and Dr. P. Kumar Mallikarjunan, Blacksburg, Va, USA (Dy.

Ramavataram <=SEP=> Ramavataram, popularly referred to as Kamba Ramayanam, is a Tamil epic that was written by the Tamil poet Kamban during the 12th century. Based on Valmiki's Ramayana (which is in Sanskrit), the story describes the life of King Rama of Ayodhya. However, Ramavatharam is different from the Sanskrit original in many aspects - both in spiritual concepts and in the specifics of the storyline.

Ramayana <=SEP=> The Ramayana (Sanskrit: रामायणम्, Rāmāyaṇam, pronounced [rɑːˈmɑːjəɳəm]) is a Sanskrit epic poem ascribed to the Hindu sage and Sanskrit poet Valmiki. It is regarded as one of the two great works of Indian literature, along with the Mahabharata. The Ramayana also plays an important role in Hindu literature (smṛti). It depicts the duties of relationships, portraying ideal characters like the ideal father, the ideal servant, the ideal brother, the ideal wife, and the ideal king.

Russian literature <=SEP=> Russian literature refers to the literature of Russia and its émigrés and to the Russian-language literature of several independent nations once a part of what was historically Rus', Russia or the Soviet Union. Roots of Russian literature can be traced to the Middle Ages, when epics and chronicles in Old Russian were composed.

Sangam landscape <=SEP=> The Sangam landscape (Tamil: அகத்திணை "inner classification") is the name given to a poetic device that was characteristic of love poetry in classical Tamil Sangam literature.  The core of the device was the categorisation of poems into different tiṇais or modes, depending on the nature, location, mood and type of relationship represented by the poem.

Sangam period <=SEP=> Sangam period (Tamil: சங்ககாலம், Sangakālam ?) is the period in the history of ancient southern India (known as the Tamilakam)  spanning from c. 3rd century BC to c. 4th century AD. It is named after the famous Sangam academies of poets and scholars centered in the city of Madurai. In Old Tamil language, the term Tamilakam (Tamiḻakam தமிழகம், Purananuru 168.

Sengai Aaliyan <=SEP=> Kanthaiya Kunarasa or Senkaialiyan is a notable Sri Lankan Tamil writer who emerged after the 1960s.He is also the author of several non-fiction books. He also served as the registrar of the University of Jaffna.

Shuddhananda Bharati <=SEP=> Kavi Yogi Maharishi Dr. Shuddhananda Bharati (11 May 1897 – 7 March 1990) was an Indian philosopher and poet. His teachings are focused mainly on the search for God in Self, through the Sama Yoga practice he created.

Silappatikaram <=SEP=> Silappatikaram (Tamil: சிலப்பதிகாரம், Cilappatikāram, IPA: [ʧiləppət̪ikɑːrəm] ?, republished as The Tale of an Anklet)  is one of The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature according to later Tamil literary tradition.  A Jain poet-prince from Kochi (in modern Kerala) referred to by the pseudonym Ilango Adigal is credited with this work. He is reputed to have been the brother of Vel Kelu Kuttuvan, the Chera dynasty king.As a literary work, Silappatikaram is held in high regard by the Tamil people.

Tamil Jain <=SEP=> Tamil Jains (Tamil Camaṇar, Nayiṉār, from Prakrit samaṇa "wandering renunciate") are Tamils from Tamil Nadu, India, who practice Digambara Jainism (Tamil Camaṇam). They are a microcommunity of around 85,000 (around 0.13% of the population of Tamil Nadu).

Tamil Sangams <=SEP=> The Tamil Sangams or Cankams were assemblies of Tamil scholars and poets that, according to traditional Tamil accounts, occurred in the remote past. Scholars believe that these assemblies were originally known as kooṭam or gathering. which was also a name for Madurai. Three assemblies are described. The legend has it that the first two of which were held in cities since "taken by the sea", and the third of which was held during the 5th century BC in the present-day city of Madurai.

Tamil literature <=SEP=> Tamil literature (Tamil: தமிழ் இலக்கியம்) refers to the literature in the Tamil language. Tamil literature has a rich and long literary tradition spanning more than two thousand years. The oldest extant works show signs of maturity indicating an even longer period of evolution. Contributors to the Tamil literature are mainly from Tamil people from South India, including the land now comprising Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Sri Lankan Tamils from Sri Lanka, and from Tamil diaspora.

Tamil mythology <=SEP=> Tamil mythology means the stories and sacred narratives belonging to the Tamil people. This body of mythology is a mix of elements from the Tamil culture, Dravidian culture and Indus Valley cultures along with the Hindu religious aspects.

The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature <=SEP=> The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature (Tamil: ஐம்பெரும்காப்பியங்கள் Aimperumkāppiyaṅkaḷ) are five large narrative Tamil epics according to later Tamil literary tradition, namely Cilappatikāram, Manimekalai, Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi, Valayapathi and Kuṇṭalakēci. The first mention of the "Aimperumkappiyam" (lit. Five large epics) occurs in Mayilainathar's commentary of Nannūl. However, Mayilainathar does not mention the names of the five epics.

Thembavani <=SEP=> Thembavani (தேம்பாவணி in Tamil) (The Unfading Garland), one of the Tamil classics, a poetical work of Veeramamunivar (Constanzo Beschi), on the life of St.Joseph, earthly father of Jesus Christ. This Tamil Divina Commedia is divided into thirty-six cantos, containing 3,615 stanzas. "It is," says Baumgartner, "the noblest epic poem in honor of St. Joseph written in any literature, East or West".

Thirumohoor Kalamegaperumal Temple <=SEP=> Thirumohoor Kalamegaperumal Temple (also known as Thirumohoor or Tirumogoor temple) is a hindu temple near Melur, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is one of the "108 divya desams", and is located 12 km north-east of Madurai. It is also known as Mohanapuram and Mohanakshetram.

Thiruppugazh <=SEP=> Thiruppugazh (Tamil திருப்புகழ் tiruppukazh "Holy Praise" or "Divine Glory") is a 15th-century anthology of Tamil religious songs dedicated to Murugan, the son of Shiva, written by the poet-saint Arunagirinathar.  The anthology is considered one of the central works of medieval Tamil literature, both for its poetical and musical qualities, and for its religious, moral and philosophical content.

Tirukkuṛaḷ <=SEP=> The Tirukkuṛaḷ is a classic Tamil sangam literature consisting of 1330 couplets or Kurals. It was authored by Thiruvalluvar.The Tirukkuṛaḷ is one of the most important works in the Tamil language. This is reflected in some of the other names by which the text is given by such as Tamiḻ Maṟai (Tamil Veda); Poyyāmoḻi (words that never fail); and Teyva nūl (divine text).

Tirutakkatevar <=SEP=> Tirutakkatevar was a Tamil Jain poet who wrote Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi, one of The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature.  He, as a local king, also supported Kambar, one of the most famous poets of Tamil literature.

U. V. Swaminatha Iyer <=SEP=> U. V. Swaminatha Iyer (Uttamadhanapuram Venkatasubbaiyer Swaminatha Iyer), 1855–1942 C.E., was a Tamil scholar and researcher who was instrumental in bringing many long-forgotten works of classical Tamil literature to light. His singular effort over five decades brought to light major literary works in Tamil and contributed vastly to the enrichment of its literary heritage.

Valayapathi <=SEP=> Valayapathi (Tamil: வளையாபதி) is a fragmentary Tamil Jain epic. Tamil literary tradition places it among the five great epics, alongside such works as Silappatikaram, Manimegalai, Civaka Cintamani and Kundalakesi.  The first mention of the "Aimperumkappiyam" (lit. Five large epics) occurs in Mayilainathar's commentary of Nannūl. Mayilainathar does not mention the names of the five epics.

Valayapathi (film) <=SEP=> Valayapathi (Tamil: வளையாபதி) is a 1952 Indian Tamil film,  directed  and produced by T. R. Sundaram. The film stars G. Muthukrishnan, Sowkar Janaki, T. A. Jayalakshmi and K. K. Perumal in lead roles. The film had musical score by S. Dakshinamoorthy.

Versions of Ramayana <=SEP=> Depending on the methods of counting, as many as three hundred versions of the Indian epic poem, the Ramayana, are known to exist. The oldest version is generally recognized to be the Sanskrit version attributed to the sage Valmiki.The Ramayana has spread to many Asian countries outside of India, including Burma, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Mongolia, Vietnam and China.