Tamil is endowed with antiquity par excellence prior to any of the oldest civilizations in the world.
The Tamil literature written 2,500 years ago is available today ' Tholkappiam' is considered to have been written 2,200 years ago.. ' Thirukkural' is written by Thiruvalluvar 2,000 years ago. Thirukkural is neither a testament nor a scripture. Nor a heavenly dispensation. It is a treatise on social life. It is the embodiment of enlightened wisdom. It has universal appeal beyond the tenets of any religious faith or codes. The wonder of Thirukkural is that its every verse is still applicable to everyman in this world today. There is a solution in Thirukkural to every problem we face in today's social and domestic life.
'Avvayar” is another poetess who gave very simple literary verses of erudite scholarship with poetic excellence. The languages she used is so simple that every common man of this day can understand and use them in his or her private life.
The most celebrated epics ' Kamba Ramanayanam' and ' Villi Bharatham' add glory to the Tamil language. Through the story line of Kamba Ramayanam, Kamban left no moral value untouched-- kindness, hospitality, universal brotherhood, chastity, sociability, munificence, social service, honesty, bravery, etc.
' Silapadhikaram” by Ilangovadigal is yet another epic which brought out the turmoils of a common man in his married life. Womanhood is glorified and we can call it the first book in Tamil literature on women's emancipation
Thousand and thousands of Tamil books, it may be verse epic, novels, short stories, verse play or essay, stand as the proud example of the rich and dignified life style of the people of Tamilnadu.
The modern life is complicated and complex. Nothing would uplift or inspire us so much as the beauty and aspiration which such books can teach.
Every Tamil literature from Sangam Age to the Age of Bharathi is a whole literature in itself, containing a code of life, a philosophy of social and ethical relations and speculative thought on human problems.
Through such Tamil literature alone the harmonious underlying true culture will one day reconcile the disorders of modern life.
