General Introduction :

The Europeans came to India and to Tamil Nadu around 500 years ago. Their advent and settlement, mainly of the British, in Tamil Nadu had a long-lasting impact on Tamil Culture. It did good to the local culture in several ways; but it also did impair its growth. Education, Medicine, Transport, Industry - these were the areas which got benefited much by the European contribution. The English education sharpened the sensitivity of Tamils, particularly, their sensitivity to social justice and equity. It gave rise to social reforms and to the claims of equal status for women with men. In literature, many new forms got introduced.