The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature
Encyclopedia
The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature are five large narrative Tamil
epics according to later Tamil literary tradition. The first mention of the "Aimperumkappiyam" (lit. Five large epics) occurs in Mayilainathar's commentary of Nannūl
. However, Mayilainathar does not mention the names of the five epics. The names of the epics are first mentioned in the late 18th century - early 19th century work Thiruthanikaiula. Earlier works like the 17th century poem Tamil vidu thoothu mention the great epics as Panchkavyams.
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
epics according to later Tamil literary tradition. The first mention of the "Aimperumkappiyam" (lit. Five large epics) occurs in Mayilainathar's commentary of Nannūl
Nannul
Nannūl is a work on the grammar of the Tamil language derived from Tolkāppiyam. This was written by Pavananthi Munivar around 13th century....
. However, Mayilainathar does not mention the names of the five epics. The names of the epics are first mentioned in the late 18th century - early 19th century work Thiruthanikaiula. Earlier works like the 17th century poem Tamil vidu thoothu mention the great epics as Panchkavyams.
Great Epics of Tamil Literature
| No | Name | Author | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silappatikaram | Ilango Adigal Ilango Adigal Ilango Adigal was a Tamil poet and a Jain monk, who was instrumental in the creation of Silappathikaram, one of the five great epics of Tamil Literature. Prince Ilango was the brother of Chera king Cheran Chenguttuvan , in South India. Ilango Adigal was born in the Chera dynasty that ruled parts... |
Non religious work of 1st century CE |
| 2 | Manimegalai | Seethalai Sathanar | Buddhist religious work of 1st or 2nd century CE |
| 3 | Civaka Cintamani Civaka Cintamani Civaka Cintamani is a classical epic poem. It is a Jain religious epic authored by Tirutakkatevar.It belongs to the Sangam tradition of Tamil literature, and is considered one of the five great Tamil epics. In its form, it anticipates the Ramayana of Kambar. Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi was much appreciated... |
Tirutakkatevar | Jain religious work |
| 4 | Valayapathi Valayapathi Valayapathi is a fragmentary Tamil Jain epic. Tamil literary tradition places it among the five great epics, alongside such works as the Manimekalai and Cilappatikaram.-Sources:... |
Unknown Jain ascetic | Jain religious work of 9th century CE |
| 5 | Kundalakesi Kundalakesi Kundalakesi is a fragmentary Tamil epic written by Nagakuthanaar. Tamil literary tradition places it among the five great epics, alongside such works as the Manimekalai and Cilappatikaram. Its time period has been estimated to be before fifth century C.E.-Sources and content:Of the five great... |
Nagakuthanar (Nagasena) | Buddhist Buddhism Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th... religious work of 5th century CE |