What is Sangam literature?
- Sangam literature refers to a collection of Tamil-language poems and writings composed between 300 BCE and 300 CE. The word “Sangam” refers to an assembly or gathering of poets, and the Sangam literature is believed to have been produced by these assemblies, which were held under the patronage of various kings and rulers in ancient Tamil Nadu.
- The Sangam literature is considered one of the most important sources of information about the social, cultural, and political life of ancient South India. The poems and writings cover a wide range of topics, including love, war, religion, ethics, and governance. They are also known for their poetic beauty and use of imagery, metaphors, and symbolism.
- The Sangam literature is divided into two categories: the Ettuthogai or Eight Anthologies and the Pattupattu or Ten Idylls. The Ettuthogai contains 2,381 poems, while the Pattupattu contains 1,068 poems. The works in these collections are attributed to various poets, both men and women, who were part of the Sangam assemblies.