HERITAGE OF TAMILS
                               UNIT I LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE 
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
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
Therukoothu, Karagattam, Villu Pattu, Kaniyan Koothu, Oyillattam,
Leatherpuppetry, Silambattam, Valari, Tiger dance – Sports and Games of
Tamils.
UNIT IV THINAI CONCEPT OF TAMILS
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
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.