Family as an institution has been in vogue among the Tamils since the Sangam Era. It has been refined and perfected as a social organ over a period of the known history of 2000 years of the Tamils.

Bharathi Dasan's 'குடும்ப விளக்கு' is in praise of an ideal family. It is a fairly long poetic composition, describing the daily routine in a family, the entertaining of guests, the rearing of children, the binding affection between the members, their duties and privileges, etc. His 'இருண்ட வீடு' which is presented in the next lesson is in contrast to 'குடும்ப விளக்கு'.

In the ideal family, the pivotal role is played by the housewife. The poem presents in a picturesque way how the woman's congenial behaviour with her spouse, children, and in-laws helps in the smooth running of the family.

The ordinary middle class housewife, described otherwise as conservative all along, discloses a new facet of her personality in the unassuming ease with which she runs her husband's shop during his absence and yet another, when she questions her husband as to what he has done for the cause of Tamil! Revolutionary women are not a class apart; they do not jump onto the scene suddenly from nowhere. They are the ordinary women, following devoutly the long held values of the community, ready to assume responsibilities, nurturing all the time a sensitivity for social concern!

This lesson attempts to take you on a conducted tour into the ideal middle-class Tamil family as projected by Bharathi Dasan.