Early Tamil Religious Literature

Summary

The article traces the transformation of Tamil literature as the Sangam era drew to a close. After the third century, the literary output associated with the Sangam tradition declined and later works like Naladiyar and Kalavalinarpatu were composed. Naladiyar is a collection of 400 moral quatrains attributed to various poets; it is accepted across creeds as a guide to practical ethics. Scholars debate its date and context: some verses mention Muttarayar, implying a later period when the early kingdoms of the Cholas, Ceras and Pandyas were remembered as a triad. Kalavalinarpatu, associated with the battle between the Cera king Kanaikkal Irumporai and a Chola monarch, also appears to be later than the classical Sangam corpus. The author argues that these works indicate a shift from the secular, courtly themes of the Sangam to didactic and devotional literature. He highlights the emergence of the Alvars and Nayanmars and the growth of temple architecture, showing how religious revival and sectarian movements shaped early Tamil literature. The article situates this transformation within broader social changes, including the rise of the Bhakti movement and increased patronage for temples and religious arts.