Authors:
Dr. M. Nirmala Devi, Assistant Professor (Mathematics)
Corresponding Author
Department of Physical Sciences & Information Technology,
Agricultural Engineering College & Research Institute,
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore – 641003
Dr. Jeyalakshmi Poornalingamm, Assistant Professor (English)
Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication,
V.O.C. Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam,
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu
Abstract
Sangam literature, the classical Tamil corpus (c. 300 BCE–300 CE), reflects a profound ecological awareness embedded in its verses. This paper explores ecocritical themes in Sangam poetry, highlighting the deep interconnection between humans and their environment. The poems portray landscapes, flora, and fauna not as mere backdrops but as integral elements of human emotions and social life. Using an ecocritical framework, this study examines ecological consciousness, environmental ethics, and the portrayal of interdependence between nature and culture in Sangam texts.
Introduction
Ecocriticism, an interdisciplinary field, studies the relationship between literature and the environment. This perspective offers a valuable framework for analyzing Sangam poetry, which is traditionally classified into Aham (love poetry) and Puram (war and public themes). Both categories are intrinsically linked to the five ecological landscapes or tinai (Hart, 1975): Kurinji (mountains), Mullai (forests), Marutham (agricultural plains), Neithal (seashore), and Palai (arid lands). These landscapes shape not only the thematic concerns but also the moods, imagery, and characters of the poetry (Zvelebil, 1973).
Ecocritical Perspectives in Sangam Literature
Tinai and Ecological Consciousness
The tinai framework establishes a symbiotic connection between human emotions and ecological settings. Each tinai embodies a distinct emotional tone and social context. For instance, Kurinji (mountains) is associated with secrecy and union in love poetry (Murray, 1992), where lovers’ emotions are harmonized with the natural beauty of the hills. Conversely, Neithal (coastal landscapes) often conveys themes of separation and longing, illustrating how ecological settings directly influence poetic expression (Rajan, 2002).
Flora and Fauna as Literary Symbols
Nature in Sangam poetry functions as a symbolic mirror of human emotions. The lotus (thalai) in Akananuru (Aka. 136) signifies purity and resilience, while the kurinji flower, which blooms once in twelve years, symbolizes rare and precious love (Ramanujan, 1985). Similarly, animals serve as metaphors: the elephant in Purananuru (Pur. 29) represents valor, while the solitary heron in Kurunthogai (Kur. 40) reflects loneliness and yearning (Chelliah, 1962).
Sustainability and Environmental Ethics
Sangam literature underscores the ethical relationship between humans and nature. It emphasizes reverence for natural resources, sustainable agriculture, and ecological balance. Natrinai (Nat. 85) warns against deforestation, stressing the consequences of environmental destruction (Subramanian, 1998). Likewise, Pattinappalai attributes the prosperity of the port city Kaveripoompattinam to careful ecological management and resource use (Hart & Heifetz, 1999).
Climate and Ecological Change
Sangam texts also acknowledge climate variability and its impact on human life. Purananuru (Pur. 228) laments the hardships of drought, while Paripadal (Par. 10) describes floods caused by heavy rains disrupting rural life (Varadarajan, 1969). These depictions reveal an early Tamil awareness of ecological instability, resilience, and adaptation.
Conclusion
Sangam literature presents a sophisticated vision of ecological interdependence, where human life and nature coexist in harmony. Through the framework of tinai, symbolic references to flora and fauna, and reflections on sustainability and climate, these texts anticipate contemporary ecocritical discourses. Sangam poetry not only celebrates the beauty of the natural world but also issues timeless cautions against its exploitation, making its ecological insights highly relevant in modern environmental debates.
References
Chelliah, J. V. (1962). A Comprehensive Anthology of Sangam Literature. University of Madras.
Hart, G. L. (1975). Poets of the Tamil Anthologies: Ancient Poems of Love and War. Princeton University Press.
Hart, G. L., & Heifetz, H. (1999). The Four Hundred Songs of War and Wisdom: An Anthology of Poems from Classical Tamil, The Purananuru. Columbia University Press.
Murray, D. (1992). Tamil Tinai Poetics: The Landscape and Human Experience. Harvard University Press.
Rajan, K. (2002). Ecocritical Readings in Tamil Poetry. Sangam Publications.
Ramanujan, A. K. (1985). Poems of Love and War: From the Eight Anthologies and the Ten Long Poems of Classical Tamil. Columbia University Press.
Subramanian, N. (1998). Sangam Poetry and Environmental Consciousness. New Century Book House.
Varadarajan, M. (1969). A History of Tamil Literature. Sahitya Akademi.
Zvelebil, K. (1973). The Smile of Murugan: On Tamil Literature of South India. Brill.