Riddles form an integral part of folk literature. They are a manifestation of people's intelligence. In this lesson you shall learn all about how riddles -- which children employ as test of intelligence -- were formed, collected, published and their usefulness in society etc.

Various works were used to refer to riddles. Tholkappiam is an ancient Tamil text in which the word 'Pic is used to refer to riddles. In Kamba Ramayanam, the word 'Pithir' is used. Though these words are not in vogue today, there are other words for riddles. Scholars like K.V. Jagannathan are of the view that the word 'pisi' in course of time has become 'pidhir' which in turn gave rise to the word pudhir. Anything that is said indirectly or implicitly is referred to as a riddle.

The first work that contained a proper collection of riddles, was Kanavu Kaathalar Kaiyanda Vidukathaikal by Va.Mu. Ramalingam. Riddles are of four kinds -- true riddles, story(based) riddles, mathematical riddles and literary riddles. Of these, the first three are still in vogue among people. Based on these, writers produced works, which were loosely called literary riddles. These are also handed down orally from generation to generation.

When children get together, or when an assorted group of people gather, riddles become part of the conversation. Teachers too, sometimes, ask their students to solve riddles. When a man and a woman, engaged to be married, meet in secret, they indulge in an exchange of riddles.

Riddles are meant for recreation. But they serve to sharpen our intelligence, build our confidence, increase our memory power, relieve our tension, provide traditional knowledge, and a better understanding of the society we live in. This lesson teaches you how their usefulness has resulted in riddles becoming a part of folk literature.