Lesson - 3 : A05133

TAMIL DURING THE AGE OF
THE CHOLAS -- PHONETIC

This lesson tells you all about the changes that took place in Tamil letters and sounds during the Chola period. These can be learnt from the grammar books of the age. Significant changes were brought about in the vowels, their sounds, and consonants and their sounds.

    There are several differences between the Tamil of the Sangam age and that of the medieval age. During the Chola period, there was considerable growth in the Tamil language. A number of literary and grammar books were produced. These help us to understand the grearness of the language. In addition, we have stone inscriptions and other documents which provide evidence of the changes that took place in the language of the time.

    From the 9th to the 13th century A.D., the Cholas reigned supreme in Tamil Nadu. As a result, there was singnificant growth in the political and economic spheres of the people. Huge temples were built. The Buddhists and the Jains produced several classics. Poets like Kambar re-wrote Sanskrit epics in Tamil. Other writers translated the Puranas. Minor epics and grammar books were also produced at this time.

    It was during the Chola period that the scattered verse of the Thevaaram and the Thiruvaasagam were collected and popularised. Similarly, Naadamuni collected all the songs composed by the Aazhwars and called them the Naalaayira Divya Prabandham.

    Significant changes brought about in the vowel sounds during this age are, the mutation of the ‘U’ sound into the ‘I’ sound.

For example -- celuthi became celithi and amuthu became amithu. Conversely, some ‘I’ sounds changed to ‘U’. For example, thamizh became thamuzh and mathil became mathul.

    Study this lesson carefully, and you will understand the changes that took place in the vowel and consonant sounds in Tamil during the age of the Cholas.