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Lesson - 1 : A04141

HISTORY OF TAMIL LITERATURE
IN THE 16th CENTURY

This lesson tells you all about the political scenario prevalent during the 16th century in Tamilnad, and its impact on the literature of the period.

    At the beginning of the 14th century, Malik-kafur, the Commander of Alauddin Khilji's army, invaded South India and destroyed the peace of the land. For fifty years the Pandya kingdom was under Muslim rule. Only after the Naickers from Andhra established themselves at Madurai, did peace return. And for the next 400 years the Naickers held sway in Madurai. In fact, it was they who saved South India from the Muslims and the Europeans.

    Although the Naickers were Vaishnavaites, they patronised other religions also. Translations of puraanas (puraanam - an old epic) and "sthalapuraanas" appeared at this time. Saivaite works, commentaries, grammatical works and works on moral philosophy were also produced during this period.

    Two great epics, திருவிளையாடற் புராணம் and நைடதம் were written. Two kings, வரதுங்கராம பாண்டியர் and அதிவீரராம பாண்டியர், saivaites such as குருஞான சம்பந்தர், ஞானப் பிரகாசர், and மறைஞான சம்பந்தர், vaishnavaites such as செவ்வைச் சூடுவார், திருக்குருகைப் பெருமாள் கவிராயர் and பிள்ளைலோகம் ஜீயர் lived during this time.

    The 16th century was marked by political instability in South India. However, translations of North Indian puraanas appeared in plenty at this time. It was the Jains who popularised the puraana form. திருவிளையாடற் புராணம் was composed by பரஞ்சோதி முனிவர். Other Jain puraanas which were written during this century were Sripuraanam, Gaya Chintaamani, and Merumandira Puraanam.

    The Saivaite mutts (established during the 14th century) played an important role not only in religious service, but also in promoting the production of grammatical and literary works. Two thesauruses -- Agaraadhi Nigandu and Choolaamani Nigandu -- were produced at this time.

பிள்ளைலோகம் ஜீயர் famous for his manipravala style belongs to this period.

    This lesson teaches you all about the literature of the 16th century as well as the political scenario prevalent then.