Lesson - 6

A04126 HISTORY OF TAMIL LITERATURE IN THE 10 th CENTURY

    The social, economic and political conditions of an age form the basis of its literature. During the 10 th century, the Cholas regained their former glory, and as they were ardent Saivaites, Saivaite literature appeared in plenty at this time. It was the age of Rajaraja Cholan the Great. His kingdom included Sri Lanka and the Maldives .

    Because of constant wars, the number of slaves increased during this time. This led to slave trading. Individuals, families and even entire communities were sold as slaves. Children born to these slaves continued to be slaves all their lives.

    As the Chola kings were staunch Saivaites, they introduced the practice of singing the Devaaram verses in temples. Mutts attached to temples were built. Villages were donated to these mutts. Food and education were given free to Brahmins and hermits in these mutts. The songs composed by the Aazhwars were collected and preserved in the form of a book called நாலாயிரத்திவ்வியப் பிரபந்தம். Individual poems were also composed; verses in praise of kings were written. These were called மெய்க்கீர்த்தி.

    Two great Jain epics were produced at this time. They were Choolaamani and Neelakesi. A work on astrology called சினேந்திரமாலை was written by Upendraacharyaar. The most significant Buddhist work which appeared during the 10 th century was kundalakesi. It is related to the Jain work Neelakesi in that, both were written to expound the principles of their respective religions. A thesaurus called Pingala Nigandu was produced by Pingala Munivar. Two grammatical works were written at this time. They were பன்னிருபாட்டியல் and புறப்பொருள் வெண்பாமாலை,

    Fhis lesson teaches you all about the literature that was produced during the 10 th century, and the social, political and religious conditions which prevailed then.