Abstract

This paper proposes an archetypal criticism on caṅkam literature by considering the cyclic patterns of natural symbols of akam poetry.BR Caṅkam anthologies are broadly divided into two categories: akam, or interior and puṟam, the exterior. Akam poetry views life from inside the family and describes the love affairs between two main characters; while puṟam poetry views life from outside the family and describes the dynamic scene of war. Akam poetry is synonymous with love poetry in Tamil tradition. Love in all its variety is its theme. The commentators list five types of true love poetry: kuṟiňci, mullai, marutam, neytal, and pālai. These are the names of particular flowers and faunas, and represent different regions or landscapes. Each of five regions or landscapes is a whole repertoire of images, such as bird, beast, water, time, season; further, each of them is associated with an appropriate phases of love between hero and heroine.BR Natural elements of akam poetry are used to symbolize and evoke a specific feeling. They exhibit the cyclic pattern of archetypal images suggested by Northrop Frye in his book Anatomy of Criticism. Circularity of natural symbols of five-fold akam poetry corresponds with the five phases of love- from the first encounter to the separation of lovers, and then another beginning of love. Archetypal criticism on akam poetry shows the world view of ancient Tamil people and invests caṅkam anthologies with universality and generality.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call