GE3152                            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

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UNIT II     HERITAGE – ROCK ART PAINTINGS TO MODERN ART – SCULPTURE

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, Leather puppetry, 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

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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.

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