d04125 LESSON - 5

Classification of Sittrilakkiam- An Introduction

    This lesson offers an introduction to ‘Sittrilakkiam’ or the minor literary
genres in Tamil. Tamil literature is broadly classified as ‘Perilakkiam’ or
major literary genres and ‘Sittrilakkiam’ or minor literary genres. Literary
texts that deal with a grand theme in a lofty style are     called
‘ Perilakkiam.’ The protagonists of texts that fall under ‘perilakkiam’ are
usually great heroes. ‘Sittrilakkiam’ on the other hand are the texts written
in a simple meter .They recount the lives of gods, patrons, and ordinary men
and women in a highly imaginative style. Minor literary genres are referred
to as ‘prabandam’ in Sanskrit. The word ‘prabandam’ was also used in
Tamil to denote minor literary forms. It was first used by Adiarkku Nallar
in the 12th century A.D. Veeramamunivar who lived in the 17th century A.D.
lists 96 ‘prabandangal’ or minor literary forms in his text ‘Caduragarathy.’
‘Prabanda Marabiyal’ compiled in the 18th century and ‘Prabanda Deepigai’,
written in the 19th century, also divide the minor literary forms into 96
types. On the other hand, lists such as ‘Panniru Pattiyal’, ‘Venba Pattiyal’,
‘Navaneetha Pattiyal’, and many others classify minor literary forms in
different ways.

    ‘Sittrilakkiam’ or minor literary genres can be traced to the Sangam age.
Five texts in ‘Pathupattu’ or The Ten Idylls written in the Sangam Age
are in the form of ‘aatrupadai’ , an important minor literary form. The
Nayakkar Age is often described as the golden age of ‘sittrilakkiam.’ A
number of minor literary forms grew and flourished during this period.

    Though there are more than 300 minor literary forms, scholars generally
classify them into 14 important types. They are ‘aatrupadai’, ‘andadi’, ‘maalai’,
‘ pathigam’ , ‘kovai’ , ‘ula’ , ‘barani’ , ‘kalambagam’, ‘pillait tamil’, ‘thoothu’,
‘ sadagam’ , ‘madal’ , ‘pallu’ and ‘kuravanji.’ The following     are     the
characteristic features of ‘sittrilakkiangal’: are that they are short; they deal
with only a few important aspects of life; since they are short, they can be
read easily; they have a strong regional flavour and contain elements of
folk literature; they are often sung in praise of gods, kings and patrons
of art; they reflect Tamil culture and tradition; and many of them are
devotional in nature.

    ‘Sittrilakkiyangal’ have played an important role in the growth of Tamil
literature. They are noted for their imaginative depth and poetic beauty. They
also record the socio-cultural milieu of the age in which they were composed.

    The lesson presents a list of the 96 minor literary forms mentioned in
Veeramamunivar’s ‘Caduragathi’ and in ‘Porutthogai Nigandu.’ Important
minor literary forms such as ‘esal’, ‘kuravanji’, ‘pathitrupathandadi’ and ‘pallu’
are not mentioned in these two lists.