SYLLABUS
HERITAGE OF TAMILS

UNIT I LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE 3
Language Families in India – Dravidian Languages – Tamil as
a Classical Language – Classical Literature in Tamil – Secular
Nature of Sangam Literature – Distributive Justice in Sangam
Literature – Management Principles in Thirukural – Tamil Epics
and Impact of Buddhism & Jainism in Tamil Land – Bakthi
Literature Azhwars and Nayanmars – Forms of minor Poetry
– Development of Modern literature in Tamil – Contribution of
Bharathiyar and Bharathidhasan.

UNIT II HERITAGE – ROCK ART PAINTINGS TO
MODERN ART – SCULPTURES 3
Hero stone to modern sculpture – Bronze icons – Tribes and their
handicrafts – Art of temple car making – Massive Terracotta
sculptures, Village deities, Thiruvalluvar Statue at Kanyakumari,
Making of musical instruments – Mridhangam, Parai, Veenai,
Yazh and Nadhaswaram – Role of Temples in Social and Economic
Life of Tamils.

UNIT III FOLK AND MARTIAL ARTS 3
Therukoothu, Karagattam, Villu Pattu, Kaniyan Koothu,
Oyillattam, Leatherpuppetry, Silambattam, Valari, Tiger dance –
Sports and Games of Tamils.

UNIT IV THINAI CONCEPT OF TAMILS 3
Flora and Fauna of Tamils & Aham and Puram Concept from
Tholkappiyam and Sangam Literature – Aram Concept of Tamils
– Education and Literacy during Sangam Age – Ancient Cities and
Ports of Sangam Age – Export and Import during Sangam Age –
Overseas Conquest of Cholas.

UNIT V CONTRIBUTION OF TAMILS TO INDIAN
NATIONAL MOVEMENT AND INDIAN CULTURE 3
Contribution of Tamils to Indian Freedom Struggle – The Cultural
Influence of Tamils over the other parts of India – Self-Respect
Movement – Role of Siddha Medicine in Indigenous Systems of
Medicine – Inscriptions & Manuscripts – Print History of Tamil books