This lesson discusses the first four "anigal" (i.e. figures of speech) mentioned in the "Dandialangaaram". They are "Thanmai Ani", "Uvamai Ani", "Uruvaga Ani" and "Theevaga Ani". The lesson offers a definition of these "anigal", lists their types and cites examples for the respective types from various literary works found in the "Dandialangaaram".

The "Dandialangaaram" is an ancient grammar text written by Dandi. Several grammar books on "anigal" or figures of speech were written with the aim of providing a detailed exposition of the same. Of these, the "Dandialangaaram" is the most popular.

The first "ani" mentioned in the "Dandialangaaram" is "Thanmai Ani". This figure of speech is also called "Thanmai Navirchi Ani". The word "Thanmai" means "quality" or "attribute". The Thanmai Ani is used to describe the qualities or attributes of an object with apt words. Thanmai Ani is classified as "Porul Thanmi", "Guna Thanmai", "Saadhi Thanmai" and "Thozhil Thanmai".

"Uvamai Ani" is the most important figure of speech. As several "anigal" were born from "Uvamai Ani", it is called the "Thai Ani" or the mother of all figures of speech. "Uvamai Ani" compares 2 unlike objects and lists the similarities between them. The comparison may be on the basis of "panbu" (i.e. attributes or qualities), "thozhil" (i.e. action) and "payan" (i.e. uses). There are 24 types of Uvamai Anigal.

"Uruvaga Ani" also attempts to draw a comparison between 2 unlike objects, but emphasizes the similarity by identifying the one with the other or by substituting the one with the other. There are 15 types of Uruvaga Anigal.

"Theevaga Ani" is a figure of speech where, a specific word denoting a quality or an action or an object or a group continues to give meaning even when it is combined and repeated with several other words in the poem. Theevaga Ani is broadly classified as "Muthal Theevagam", "Idai Theevagam" and "Kadai Theevagam" based on the position of this word in this verse.