d04123 LESSION - 3

Classification of Puranas - Ithikasas and Puranas

    This lesson offers an introduction to ‘ithikasas’ and ‘puranas’ in Tamil.
‘Ithikasas’ and ‘Puranas’ were composed in Tamil under the influence of
Sankrit and other north Indian languages. The two great Indian ‘ithikasas’,
namely, ‘The Ramayana’ and ‘The Mahabarata’ had a great impact on Tamil
literature. The ancient Tamil poets were scholars of both Tamil and
Sanskrit. Inspired by Valmiki’s ‘Ramayana’ and Vyasa’s ‘Mahabarata’, they
either rewrote the itihasas Tamil or created a new, based on them. While
recasting these Ithikasas in Tamil, they took care to adapt them to the
Tamil socio-cultural milieu.

    Kambar, the court poet of King Kulothunga Chozhan, wrote his
‘ Kambaramayanam’ on the basis of Valmiki’s ‘Ramayanam.’ Retaining the
larger framework of the plot, Kambar adapted certain aspects of the epic
tale to suit the Tamil culture. Comprising 6 ‘kandams’ or sections and 118
‘ padalangal’ or chapters, ‘Kambaramayam’ is noted for its poetic beauty.
‘ Kamabaramayanam’ is written in a meter called ‘viruthappa.’ In the
words of Va.Ve. Su Iyer, a renowned Tamil Scholar, ‘Kambaramayanam’
surpasses the epics of Virgil, Homer, Milton, Vyasa and even Valmiki.
‘ Sangraha Ramyanam’ , ‘Ramayana Thirupugazh’ and ‘Sri Ramavatharathin
Kala Nirnayam’ are some of the other works based on ‘The Ramyana.’
Besides these, stories from ‘The Ramayana’ are performed even today
on stage in the form of ‘villupattu’ and ‘koothu.’

    Vyasa’s ‘Mahabarata’ inspired a large number of literary works in Tamil.
Dr. Tamizhannal classifies 6 texts based on ‘The Mahabarata’. They are
‘ Perunthevanar Baratam’ , ‘Barata Venba’ , ‘Villibaratam’ , ‘Nallapillai
Baratam’ , ‘Nalavenba’ and ‘Naidatham.’ This lesson offers a brief
introduction to these 6 texts.

    The ‘Puranas’ in Sanskrit language are broadly classified into 2 types:
Mahapuranas and Upapuranas. Inspired by these a number of Puranas were
written in Tamil too. The Puranas in Tamil are also classified into 2 types:
Purana Kappiangal and Puranam. Like ‘kappiangal’ or Epics, Purana
Kappiangal are long poetic narratives that recount a religious story in a
lofty style. Since they resemble the epics, they are called ‘Purana
Kappiangal.’ ‘ Periya Puranam’ and ‘Kandapuranam’ are the 2 Purana
Kappiangal in Tamil.

    Puranam is classified into 3 types: Puranas based on Gods, Stala
Puranas and     Puranas on devotees. ‘Koorma Puranam’ written by
Adiveerarama Pandiyar is a good example of Puranas based on Gods.
Umapathi Sivam’s ‘Koyil Puranam’ and Paranjothiyar’s ‘Thiruvilaiyadal
Puranam’ are examples of Stala Puranam. Sekkizhar’s ‘Periya Puranam’,
Umapati     Sivacharyar’s ‘Sekkizhar Swamigal Puranam’ , ‘ Harichandra
Puranam’ and ‘Sri Puranam’ are examples of Puranas, written on the
devotees.

    Puranas were also written in the Twentieth century. ‘Gandhi Puranam’,
‘ Thilakar Puranam’ and ‘Ravana Kaviyam’ are some of puranas written
in the twentieth century.