The Historical records of Sangam’s Akam Literature

Abstract

The History of Tamilnadu is two thousand years old. The Sangam literature helps to understand the history of ancient Tamil Nadu. As we know, Historical records, stories, and evidences abound in Puram poems of Sangam literature. Although it is about the Akam poems, there are several historical references to know about ancient Tamizhagam. The poets manipulate parables, to make imperceptible to perceptible and making in a way to give pleasure for the adorned. It is the opinion of the authors that, the parables, have been used more in the Akam material than in the Puram material. The parables used in a perceivable way in the Akam literature to convey and express the sentiments and feelings of the chiefs, and for commenting and entertaining of the historical messages. The poets have sung about the three kings (Moovendhars), chieftains (Kurunila mannargal), philanthropists, valor, war, town, country and donations through the expressions and emotions of Thalaivan (Hero), Thalaivi (Heroine) and by the parables. Through the poems, come to know that, the soldiers who died heroically in battle are honored by planting hero stones. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the historical references, sung in the five anthologies of Ettuthogai.