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The earliest literature
in Tamil extant today is known as Sangam Classics and the earliest Tamil
Grammar available today, known as தொல்காப்பியம், is believed to belong
to a period prior to Sangam classics. References to Siva worship are available
in these ancient works. Though there is no direct reference to the term
‘Siva’ in தொல்காப்பியம், references to the Tamils’ faith in a transcendent
entity, which may be attributed to Siva are found.
The Sangam Classics are grouped into anthologies named எட்டுத்தொகை and பத்துப்பாட்டு. References to சிவன், உமை and முருகன் are available in கலித்தொகை, புறநானூறு and ஐங்குறுநூறு which are part of எட்டுத்தொகை. Similarly works like சிறுபாணாற்றுப்படை and மதுரைக் காஞ்சி which are part of பத்துப்பாட்டு also speak about various attributes of Siva. |