Tag: our golden past

The Battle of Talikota in 1565 was a decisive conflict that led to the collapse of the Vijayanagara Empire against the combined forces of the Deccan Sultanates.

During Sangam Age, agriculture was the main occupation and the Chera country was noted for its jackfruit, pepper and turmeric.

In the Tamil region, large landowners were known as vellalar, ordinary ploughmen were known as uzhavar, and landless labourers, including slaves, were known as kadaisiyar and adimia.

Karikala Chola is a legendary figure frequently mentioned in the Sangam epic Silappadhikaram, particularly regarding his construction of dams and irrigation works.

The Sangam Age, spanning roughly from the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE, is the earliest historical period for which Tamil literature provides detailed records.

Sangam literature depicts a society with economic disparities where the poor included farm laborers, casual workers, and wandering minstrels who relied on patronage.

Mrichchhakatika, or The Little Clay Cart, is a famous Sanskrit play attributed to the playwright Sudraka.

The Manimekalai was composed by Sattanar around 1400 years ago. This describes the story of the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi. These beautiful compositions were lost to scholars for many centuries, till their manuscripts were rediscovered, about hundred years ago.

Manimekalai is one of The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature according to later Tamil literary tradition. It is written by the poet Chithalai Chathanar. Its story is a sequel of an epic ‘Silappatikaram’ that tells the story of the conversion to Buddhism of the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi.

Tolkappiyam is the earliest extant work of Tamil Literature and linguists. Tolkappiyam derived from the combination of two words 'Tonmai (ancientness) and 'kappiyam' (literature). It comprises three books- the Ezhuttadikaram, the Solladikaram, and the Poruladikaram. It grammatises the use of words and syntaxes and moves into the higher mode of language analysis.