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Tamil epics and bhakti literature: Aimperumkappiyam, Thirumurai and Prabandham
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The five great Tamil epics (Aimperumkappiyangal) are Silappathikaram, Manimekalai, Seevaka Chintamani, Valayapathi and Kundalakesi. The five minor epics (Aincirukappiyangal) are Neelakesi, Yasodhara Kaviyam, Chulamani, Perunkathai and Nagakumara Kaviyam. The bhakti collections are the Shaiva Thirumurai (12 books) and the Vaishnava Naalayira Divya Prabandham. This page lists the authors, the religion behind each work and the points examiners favour.
The five great epics
| Epic | Author | Tradition | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silappathikaram | Ilango Adigal | Jain connection traditionally | Story of Kovalan, Kannagi and Madhavi; three books: Puhar, Madurai, Vanji |
| Manimekalai | Seethalai Sathanar | Buddhist | A sequel to the Silappathikaram; Manimekalai is the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi |
| Seevaka Chintamani | Thiruthakka Thevar | Jain | Hero Seevakan; called a Manam Nool (a book of marriages) |
| Valayapathi | Unknown | Jain | Only fragments survive |
| Kundalakesi | Nagakuthanar | Buddhist | Only fragments survive |
The five minor epics
| Epic | Author | Tradition |
|---|---|---|
| Neelakesi | Unknown | Jain |
| Yasodhara Kaviyam | Unknown | Jain |
| Chulamani | Tholamozhi Thevar | Jain |
| Perunkathai | Kongu Velir | Jain |
| Nagakumara Kaviyam | Unknown | Jain |
The Silappathikaram is also called Mutthamizh Kaappiyam because it blends iyal (poetry), isai (music) and natakam (drama). The main figures also appear in the story of the ancient dynasties; see ancient dynasties of Tamil Nadu.
Shaiva literature: the Thirumurai
The Thirumurai is the collection of Tamil Shaiva hymns in twelve books. Nambiyandar Nambi compiled the first eleven in the time of Rajaraja I, and Sekkizhar's Periya Puranam was added as the twelfth.
| Thirumurai | Content | Poet |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3 | Thevaram | Thirugnanasambandar |
| 4, 5, 6 | Thevaram | Appar (Thirunavukkarasar) |
| 7 | Thevaram | Sundarar |
| 8 | Thiruvasagam and Thirukkovaiyar | Manikkavasagar |
| 9 | Thiruvisaippa and Thiruppallandu | Several poets |
| 10 | Thirumandiram | Thirumular |
| 11 | Various works | Several poets |
| 12 | Periya Puranam | Sekkizhar |
The first seven books together are the Thevaram, composed by the three Nayanmar saints known as the Moovar. There were 63 Nayanmars in all, and the temples sung in the Thevaram are the Paadal Petra Sthalams (see important temples of Tamil Nadu).
Vaishnava literature: the Naalayira Divya Prabandham
The Naalayira Divya Prabandham ("four thousand divine verses") was compiled by Nathamuni, who is placed in the 10th century. It contains the hymns of the 12 Alvars.
| Alvar | Note |
|---|---|
| Poigai Alvar, Bhoothath Alvar, Pey Alvar | The three "Mudal Alvars" |
| Thirumalisai Alvar | |
| Nammalvar | Considered the greatest; wrote Thiruvaimozhi |
| Madhurakavi Alvar | Disciple of Nammalvar |
| Kulasekara Alvar | A king; wrote Perumal Thirumozhi |
| Periyalvar | Father of Andal; wrote Thirupallandu |
| Andal | The only woman Alvar; wrote Thiruppavai and Nachiyar Thirumozhi |
| Thondaradippodi Alvar | |
| Thiruppan Alvar | |
| Thirumangai Alvar | Wrote the largest number of hymns |
The Vaishnava shrines praised by the Alvars are the 108 Divya Desams; a large number are in Tamil Nadu.
Kamban and other medieval works
Kamban's Ramavataram (Kamba Ramayanam) is the best-known retelling of the Ramayana in Tamil, composed in the 12th century. Other works asked in exams include Ottakoothar's Ula poems, Pugazhendi's Nalavenba and Jayankondar's Kalingathuparani, which describes Kulothunga Chola's Kalinga war. For the writers' profiles see famous Tamil scholars.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote the Silappathikaram?
Ilango Adigal, in three books: Puhar, Madurai and Vanji.
Which Tamil epic is Buddhist?
Manimekalai by Seethalai Sathanar and Kundalakesi by Nagakuthanar, among the five great epics.
How many books are in the Thirumurai?
Twelve. The twelfth is Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar.
Who are the Moovar?
The three authors of the Thevaram: Thirugnanasambandar, Appar and Sundarar.
Who is the only woman Alvar?
Andal, who wrote Thiruppavai and Nachiyar Thirumozhi.
Official sources
- Tamil Virtual Academy: searchable epics, Thirumurai and Prabandham texts.
- Tamil Nadu Government portal: literature and temple heritage notes.
- The Tamil unit of the TNPSC syllabus, summarised in the TNPSC General Tamil guide.
Traditions and dates for the epics differ across textbooks, so use the Samacheer Kalvi version for exams.
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