Lesson - 2

A04122 HISTORY OF TAMIL LITERATURE IN THE 7 th CENTURY

     The period 600 - 900 A.D is considered to be the age of the Pallavas. They ruled North Tamilnad , while the Pandyas ruled south Tamilnad. During this period there were three types of schools:

    (1) the Jain schools

    (2) the Buddhist monasteries

    (3) the vedic schools established by the Pallavas

    Religious principles and truths, and philosophy were taught in these schools. The Pallavas patronised Sanskrit. Hence, both Sanskrit and Tamil were used by people. Manippravaalam, a mixture of Sanskrit and Tamil was also in use.

    The literature of this century was basically religious, and ethical. Under the reign of the Pallavas, Sanskrit and devotional literature flourished. Huge temples were built. These were the great gifts of the Pallavas to Tamilnad.

    Literature is a reflection of life. By reading the literary works produced during this age, we can understand all about the social, political and religious conditions which prevailed then. The three great saints Thirugnanasambandar, Appar and Sundarar lived during this time. A collection of all the songs composed by these three saints, forms the famous Devaaram. The first three Thirumuraigal were written by Thirugnanasambandar, and the next three by Appar. These two saints are considered to be the two eyes of Saivism.

    In 642 A.D, a Chinese traveller called Yung Chang visited Kancheepuram and recorded his observations. Kancheepuram then was one of the seven great cities of India .

    From this lesson we learn how, during the 7 th century, Saivism and Vaishnavism flourished in Tamilnad. The first six Devaara Thirumuraigal appeared at this time, and there was a flowering of the Bhakthi movement leading to the composition of devotional songs.