Sangam & Odiya Literature
Context:
The Union Education Minister recently released 55 volumes of literary works in classical Indian languages, including Tamil, Odia, Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam, to place linguistic heritage at the center of education and research.
Key Highlights:
Sangam Literature:
Purananooru:
It is a collection of 400 songs sung by different poets and poetesses including some kings too.
It is a part of the Ettutogai (Eight Anthologies).
It is a collection of 400 heroic poems about kings, wars and social life.
These poems deal with Puram (exterior themes) such as war, governance, and heroism.
Pathitrupathu:
It is also part of Ettutogai
This anthology consists of ten decades of verses, each dedicated to praising the valor of ten different Chera kings.
Pathuppattu:
Pathupattu is one of the eighteen Melkanakku, narrative texts in Sangam literature.
It is known as the Ten Idylls
Sangam songs are divided into categories called thinais, marking the distinct ecological zones. The topographic features of the five thinais—Kurinji, Mullai, Palai, Marutham, and Neithal influenced the daily life and culture of the people.
Tirukkural:
The Tirukkural by Thiruvalluvar is perhaps the most famous ethical text from the Sangam period.
The Tirukkural is a comprehensive treatise on ethics, politics, and love, comprising 1,330 couplets that have been revered for their wisdom and universality
Odia Literature:
Charyapada:
A collection of ancient Buddhist mystical poems considered the earliest extant example of Odia literature.
Madalapanji:
The chronicle of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, serving as a vital historical record.
Significance:
This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to replace the colonial Macaulay mindset with an appreciation for India's linguistic diversity and cultural harmony.