This lesson deals with those poems which are composed in the environs of desert where Tamil people live. As in other regions this Paalaithinai takes up the three types of subjects and the lifestyles of people of this region. Imagery, lexicality. analogy. and hidden facts are marks of literary excellence.

    Many poems in the five great works of Ayinkurunooru, Kurunthokai, Nattinai, Agananooru and Kalithokai are composed on the themes relating to Paalai Thinai. Half of the four hundred poems of Agananooru are under Paalai Thinai. Paalai Paadiya Perumkadunko is the greatest among the poets concerned with this environment. Oothalanthayar is another poet interested in this subject.

    The place relevant to this region is dryland like desert. In fact there is no real desert is Tamil land. But the forest and its environs besides the paddy-field and its environs become dry for want of rains. The seasons are early and late summer in Tamil months of Cithirai, Vaikaaci, Aani and Aadi equivalent to English months from the middle of April to the middle of August. The part of the day related to this region is the midday of two hours from noon . The core subjects are Durga. youth. eagle and kite. red dog. village called Kurumpu, dry well. flowers of Paathiri, mara and kura, trees like Iruppai, Oomai and Paalai, food obtained by waylaying and decoity, war drums and village-awakening drums, rhythm of Panjuram, musical instrument of Paalaiyazh and job of ransacking, Separation and actions related to this form the special subject of Paalaipaadalkal.

    The these subjects are expressed in Nattinai, Kalithokai, Ayinkirunooru, Kurunthokai and Aganaanooru as in the lives quoted in this unit. The sorrow separation is graphically presented as can be read in the above works illustrated hero.

    On learning this lesson, you will enjoy the poetic structure in Tamil literature in terms of themes and sub themes adopted to the natural atmosphere and social contexts of different regions of Tamil land.

    The sixth unit quotes 14 poems from Kurinchikali and Neitharkali to indicate the intrinsic literature like Kalithokai.