What is true fame? Poet’s advice to his ruler 2000 years ago! Pretty much describes Tamil Nadu’s current situation!
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Store Water – gain eternal glory! Puram 18
10 years of Karka Nirka
Karka Nirka's 10th anniversary. A thank you note and 10 of my favorite blogs over the years. Share your favorite blog as comment.
Flood of Passion – Kurunthokai 99
Another gem from Auvviyar of Sangam age. A poet par excellence, most of us know her songs on Adhigaman Neduman Anci. In way some of her poems were prelude to hero build up songs in Tamil cinema. But the side most of us don’t know is the sensitive and mostly aggressive love poems. This a poem from a lover lorn Thalaivan's point of view.
no names, no color and no size – Civavakkiyam
God is within your soul,when you realize this you realize he has no names, no color and no size. This is the essence of Civavakkiyar's poem below. Sivavakkiyar is considered to be one of the greatest Shidda poets along side Thirumoolar and Pattinathar. His poems questions Hindu religious structure, Brahmanical supremacy, idol worship, authority... Continue Reading →
Isn’t he father and mother – Kurunthokai 93
It is not easy for women especially if the marriage doesn't work out. Thaliavan has started philandering and he is not allowed to enter the house by Thalaivi. When Panki (Thalaivi's friend) comes to advice her of not have love quarrels with her husband and asks her to let him in. Thalaivi responds that as husband he should care for her like a father and mother. And feels he isn't behaving like that, when there is no love how can there be love quarrel is her central question. Sangam literature deals with every facet of love and marital life.
One for Self esteem – Purananuru 208
Next time you vote for a reality show or in an appraisal cycle, think about this poem! Beautiful poem on Self esteem from Purananuru.
Integrity of a ministry – Malaipatukatam
A verse from Malaipatukatam on integrity of a kings council. Malaipatukatam (Echoes on the Mountain) by Peruilkunrur Perutikaucikanar is dated c. 210 A.D.The title of the poem is taken from line 348; the original title was perhaps different. A poem of 583 lines celebrates Nannan the son of Nannan,and describing various aspects of life in different communities of his territory, It contains some exquisite pictures of nature.
Melt me and fill me – Andal’s Nachiyar Thirumozhi 10.8
By far one of the best love and philosophical poem, I have read in Tamil. It is a surprise to me it matches Sangam love poems but surpasses them here by it deep philosophy.This poem has layers, each passing day I was realizing a new meaning to the poem. Plain vanilla translation would neither emphasize the philosophy of the poem nor the intended meaning of the poem.
Question of Desperation – Kurunthokai 156
Brahmins were respected for their negotiation skill during Sangam age and were valued as messengers. There is a puram poem where a Brahmin stopped war just thorugh his negotiation. He our hero who is full of love asks Brahmin messenger a crazy question. After all love makes a person crazy.
Sword of Separation – Kurunthokai 157
Poem on the feeling of Thalaivi due to her periods and the oncoming separation between Thalaivi and Thalaivan.
Jallikattu – Kalithokai selection
Roman Coins and Indian Ornaments – History of Sami Dollar and Kasumalai
Kasumalai and our most famous Sami Dollar (Murugan dollar, Aaiyappan dollar) are probably effect of our trade with Rome. An article which traces back the roots of 2 Indian ornaments.
State of Love – before and after marriage – Kurunthokai 196
Simple poem which points out how men behave while in love and after marriage.
Olive oil and Roman settlements in Tamil Nadu 2000 years ago
Olive oil was imported in Tamil Nadu 2000 years ago from Europe. Yes, you read it right.
Yavanar Lamps – Anna Villaku , Paavai Vilakku
Every time I tell any of my friends that Kuthu villaku is probably imported from Greece or Rome, they give me a surprising look. Lighting Swan lamp, Anna villaku has become an Indian tradition. Be it starting a new store or hosting an international dignitary, it starts with lighting the swan lamp. But these Swan lamps were very popular imports from Greece and Rome. Sangam Literature has reference to these imports...
Earliest reference of Krishna stealing clothes of Gopikas – Akam 59
Reading Sangam literature can always throw you some pleasant surprises. This is one of such surprise. Krishna stealing Gopika's dress while they were bathing in Yamuna, is absent in any of Sanskrit litertaure before 5th century and the earliest available literature for the theme is available only in Sangam literature. Below lines for Agananooru are the earliest available lines on this motif.
Puthiya Aathisoodi
What better day to publish this post other than birthday of Barathiyar. Probably he is not poet par excellence. His poems does not have alliterations of Kabilar, flow of Illango or mesmerism of Kamban, but probably he brought in second wave of revolutionary poems after the Siddhar poems of Civavakkiyar and Pattinathar. Dissatisfied with Auvaiyar's version which was more peacetime work, Barathiyar wrote this version of Aathichoodi to inspire youth.
To think of you or not! Kurunthokai 102
Describe Auvvaiyar - most likely answer, old women with stick who sang proverbs and was disciple of Murugan and Eesan. This is one of the greatest Myths which you can safely debunk. In one of my other post I have written how at least 3 poets existed in Tamil Nadu with name of Auvvaiyar. The first one was of Sangam Age. A poet par excellence, most of us know her songs on Adhigaman Neduman Anci. In way some of her poems were prelude to hero build up songs in Tamil cinema. But the side most of us don't know is the sensitive and mostly aggressive love poems.
Moss and the Touch – Kurunthokai 399
Probably one of the greatest visual imagery in Tamil literature. Any body who wants to understand the greatness of Sangam Tamil poets need to read the poem and see my visual representation. Nothing more to say from my end the picture would say the rest!
Love cannot be separated! – Kurunthokai 313
Short and sweet poem from Kurunthokai. Quite a beautiful verse in Tamil. I have added transliterated version for people who cant read in Tamil. Enjoy this beautiful poem.
World of Two lovers – Kurunthokai 57
Beautiful love poem from the ancient Tamils. One more example why Tamil love literature is considered to be classic across the world. The poem talks about how for lovers they get isolated and the whole world become each other when they are in love. Separation is a fear which they want to escape. The pain of separation is greater than death to these lovers.
What can you do? Sivavakkiyam 6
Transient nature of life becomes the theme of Sivavakkiyar's poem here. Sivavakkiyar is considered to be one of the greatest Shidda poets along side Thirumoolar and Pattinathar. His poems questions Hindu religious structure, Brahmanical supremacy, idol worship, authority of Vedas and Agamas, caste systems. He has written around 520 poems. Below poem questions the madness of love and love for oneself/body.
#MeToo – Do not touch me! Narrinai 350
#MeToo is trending for the past few days. The case of taking advantage by people in power, people in anonymity is not a new age activity. These have been for ages. This is the time when Indian courts are debating about Martial rape and Indian government arguing case of husbands taking advantage of their position of strength in society and physical strength should not be considered a case of rape. The post looks at the wisdom and view of women of 2000 years ago.
Men are always the same! Narrinai 226
This poem is dedicated to the women and children who bare the brunt heavy office workload of their husbands. The poem which pretty much says Men being men worry more about wealth/career than family. Poem emphasizes 'Men are like this' as a sort proverb 2000 years ago.
You have a new designation – ‘Mother’ – Narrinai 370
Sangam literature explores every facet of love. Poem here talks about love between couples at the time of their child birth.
Inna Narpathu – Vadivelu version
Vadivelu version of Inna Narpathu by Poet Kapilar
In Search of a Tamil Lion – Tamil Word list 18
I was looking through Dravidian etymological dictionary to find some Dravidian root words and to my surprise there was no true root word for Lion (except for Yali,ali which I would discuss later in this post). Ok first what is root word? The root word is the primary lexical unit of a word, and of a word family (root is then called base word), which... Continue Reading →
Sangam Comics 3- Its going to rain! Ainkurunooru 207
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————- Become Fan of Karka Nirka Blog in Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karka-Nirka/353094691592 —————————————————————————————————————————————————— இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்! Happy pongal! Blogging after a year! My apologies! This is a comic I made nearly a year ago but didn't publish it due to certain issues. Since I have graduated from my MBA, I have no other excuse not to blog,... Continue Reading →
Sangam Comics Issues 2- Kurunthokai 117
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————- Become Fan of Karka Nirka Blog in Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karka-Nirka/353094691592 ——————————————————————————————————————— This is my second attempt at comic style explanation of poems. I didnt have an artist who could do these illusrations for me. Hence used google images to complete my idea. I wish to thank Mrs. Raji Subramani for the bangle photos. Reading the... Continue Reading →
Understanding some problems in Tamil Literature through Tamil Cinema!
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————- Become Fan of Karka Nirka Blog in Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karka-Nirka/353094691592 If you like the post you can click Like Button below About the Author ————————————————————————————————————————————————— I have been wanting to write this post for a long time and today I have decided to write it. This post would explain to you why we need scholars... Continue Reading →
Red Earth and Pouring Rain – Kurunthokai 40
Three Tamil cinema songs inspired one Tamil Sangam poem.One of the most famous Sangam poems - Red earth and pouring rain.
Tamil Birds – Different types of kuruvi – Part 1
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————- Become Fan of Karka Nirka Blog in Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karka-Nirka/353094691592 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————— It was flowers than fishes and now birds. I just enjoy this googling for scientific names and getting pictures. Hope this serves as treat like the other picture posts. Birds there are thousand species of them. I have taken a particular category called 'Kuruvi'. Lets see... Continue Reading →
99 Tamil Flowers – Kurunjipaatu – Introdution/Index
99 Tamil flowers photos + scientific name
Master piece from Silapadigaram – Kovalan – Kannagi Wedding night
This one of the master piece in Tamil Literature. A beautiful poem describing beauty of a women. Kovalan on his wedding night with Kannagi, describes her beauty. Must read for anyone whether you know Tamil or not.
Hero’s take on Elopement – Narrinai 362
One poem which shows street smartness of our Tamil guys when it comes to love!
Am I not good enough? Ainkurunuru 204
This is one of cheeky poems of Sangam literature. It has level of boldness to it.
Example of Kamban’s greatness
Kamban's greatness in 60 second
Heroism expressed poetically!-Purananuru 276
Tamils had beautiful skill of being heroic, yet poetic in their verses. This is one of the brilliant examples. Buildup comes natural to these poets!
I am burning – Ainkurunuru113
This is one of the cutest poems in Sangam literature. Thalaivi is getting caught by mother. The situation is beautifully portrayed in few lines.
Index of All posts
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————- Become Fan of Karka Nirka Blog in Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karka-Nirka/353094691592 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Homage: Death of a great Tamil Scholar and my Inspiration - Dr. Kamil Zvelebil. Greatness of Tamil: Why Tamil is a classical Language ? - George L Hart Uniqueness of Tamil - Dr.Zvelebil’s quotes from Smile of Muruga Ancient and Unique Nature of Tamil Part1- Tamil origins... Continue Reading →
Realize the god in you – Civavakkiyam
Tamil Sidhha movement were more oriented toward journey of knowledge, who believed only through knowledge one can realize the god, as against the popular form of Hinduism the Bakthi movement. Tamil Sitthar's literary movement started with Thirumoolar. The later Siddhas especially Civavakkiyar was very critical against mainstream Hinduism. He criticized idol worship and people running after temples. His philosophy was God is in you realize him. You will see more of Civvakkiyar in the next few weeks.
He came many days! Kurunthokai 176
How to impress a girl? A note from 2000 year old poem!
