Tamil Tradition
Unit– 4
The Theories of the
Tamils
Social Life:
In the Sangam Age, the Tamil people
had a common language. But, they lived in five
different natural landscapes. These natural
landscapes or geographical regions were
known as Tinais
Each of these regions had reflected their o
wn
social characteristics.
THINNAI CONCEPT OF TAMILS
Thinai consists of a complete poetical landscape - a definite time, place,
season in which the poem is set - and background elements characteristic of
that landscape - including flora and fauna, inhabitants, deities and social
organisation.
The Sangam Society was split into five distinct ecological zones
The five tinais were
✔ Kurinji (hilly/mountain region)
✔ Palai ( parched/dry lands)
✔ Mullai (pastoral tract)
✔ Marutam (wet/ agricultural lands)
✔ Neital (coastal area)
❖ Kurinji (Mountains)
The Mountains and adjoining lands
❖ Mullai (Forest,Pasture)
The Forest and adjoining lands
❖ Marudham (Agricultural areas, plain or
valleys) The Field and adjoining lands
❖ Neithal (Seashore)
The Seashore and adjoining lands
❖ Paalai (Parched wastelands,
Desert) The dry lands and
adjoining lands
Kurinji:
✔ The Kurinji Tinai refers to the hilly region. The people in this region
were called Vettuvar and Kuravar
✔ Hunting was their primary occupation. They also cultivated fruits and
vegetables and gathered honey.
✔ They worshipped Murugan or Seyon.
Mullai:
✔ It is a forest tract with green pastures. The people of this
region domesticated animals. The people of the Mullai region were called
as Kovalar or Ayar
✔ Being shepherds, they produced dairy products like milk, curd and ghee.
Their chief deity was Thirumal or Mayon.
Marudham:
✔ The region Marudham refers to fertile and cultivable lands. Most of the
people in this region were called as Vellalars because they practised
agriculture.
✔ They cultivated paddy, sugar cane and a variety of fruits like mango,
plantain and Jackfruit. Irrigation methods were also known to them.
✔ Their chief deity was Indra or the rain God.
Neydal:
✔ Neydal was the coastal region. The people of this region were known
as
Parathavar or Meenavar
✔ Fishing was their natural occupation.
They were also famous sailors. A few people of this region
produced and sold salt. They were called as Umanar
✔ The God of the Neydal region was Varunan or the God of the sea.
Palai:
✔ The term Palai refers to the desert region.
✔ But, there was no desert in the Tamil country. Therefore, it could
be said that whenever there was drought due to failure of rains, that
region was called as Palai. The people of this region were called as
Maravar or Kalvar.
✔ They were forced to live as robbers due to poverty.
✔ Maravar were also known for their heroism. These people worshipped
the Goddess Kotravai or Kali
Plants of Tamil Nadu
❖ Kurinji – Akhil-Vengai
❖ Mullai – Kondai-Kaya
❖ Marutham – Kanchi-Marutham
❖ Neithal – Punnai-Naazhal
❖ Paalai- Iluppai-Paalai
Animals of Tamil
Nadu
❖ Kurinji – Bear-Lion
❖ Mullai – Rabbit-Deer
❖ Marutham – Buffalo-Otter
❖ Neithal – Crocodile-Shark
❖ Paalai -Weakened elephant
Birds of Tamil Nadu
❖ Kurinji -Peacock
❖ Mullai – Kattukozhi, Parrot
❖ Marutham-stork-Waterhen-Swan
❖ Neithal – Little Cormarant (Kadal
Kaagam)
❖ Paalai- Hawk
TImes
(a) Time
❖ Kurinji – Yamam (Midnight)
❖ Mullai – Maalai (Evening)
❖ Marutham- Vaikarai (Shortly before
sunrise)
❖ Neithal – Erppadu (Sunset)
❖ Paalai – Nanpagal (Noon)
THE MORAL PRINCIPLE CHERISHED BY THE TAMILS
Personal Ethics
Living to be prosperous
Supporting their Relatives
Providing for those in need without rejection
❖ When they fight, the soldiers wear signs according to their
Thinai.
❖ There are time limits for waging war. Soldiers do
not fight among themselves except during the time of war.
❖ Indiscriminate provision of food to soldiers of both sides in
war zone
❖ Those who have turned their backs> those who surrender>
those who have lost their weapons, etc., should not be
attacked.
❖ An injury to the chest is called Vizhupun and an external
injury to the back is called Purapun.
❖ The worship of the hero stone to respect the dead warriors.
Trade and Commerce:
✔ In the beginning of the Sangam Age, the barter system of trade was followed.
Generally, the people exchanged their commodities with their neighbours.
✔ For example, the people of Kurinji region exchanged honey with the people of Neydal
region for getting fish and salt. Likewise, the Mullai people gave their milk products to
Marudham people to get rice from them. Later, when they began to use
coins, trade picked up rapidly. Local markets came up and they were known as Angadis
✔ Both Day Market (Nalangadi) and Evening Bazaar (Allangadi) existed in port towns. The
Pattinappalai refers to their existence at Puhar
Goods from distant places were brought to these markets.
The expansion of trade led to the growth of towns. Moreover, export of goods to other
countries had increased.
Sangam Cities > Ports
a) Cheran –
Vanchi
b) Cholan – Urayyur
kaviripumpatinam (Poombukar)
c) Pandian –
Madurai
d) Pallavan –
Mamallapuram
Other major cities
▪ Nalliyakodan -Kidangil (Dindivanam)
▪ Ilandraiyan - Thiruvekha
(Kanchipuram)
Neighboring Relations of Ancient Tamil
❖ Venture across the oceans and seek prosperity or wealth.
❖ Ancient Tamils had trade relations with countries
like Babylonia > Greece > Rome > Egypt > Sumeria
etc.
❖ It can be seen that many Tamil words are being offered
in
other countries.
Education and Literature:
✔ Education was common for all, men and women, rich and poor and for
different communities.
✔ Parents attached importance to the education of their children.
✔ The Purananuru describes that it is the duty of the father to make
his children learned.
✔ The bulk of the Sangam literature written by about 500 poets indicates
the importance given to education.
Overseas Conquest of
Cholas
Victory of the Cholas
During the reign of Emperor Rajarajan the I and
Rajendra Chola, the glory of Tamil spread worldwide.
He is proud of conquering areas like Kerala>
Sinhala> Kollam> Kodungollur> Pandyanadu>
Kudanadu or Gudamalai etc.
Rajendra Chola, son of Rajaraja Chola, invaded and
conquered Kadaram.(modern Kedah in Malaysia)
AWARDS ACCEPTED BY RAJARASAN
Moommudicholan Cholamarththandan
Seiyangondaan
Pandiya Kulaasani
Keralaanthagan
Singalaanthagan
Thelinga Kulaagalan
Thank
You!