Ritual and Mythological Sources of the Early Tamil Poetry

This volume focuses on the origin of the early Tamil poetical canon, which constitutes a set of specific subjects, images, principles of arrangement of basic poetical themes which are called tinai. The author proceeds from the idea of a Russian scholar O. Freidenberg that literary forms 'originate from anti-literary material rather than their own archetypes'.An outline of mythological concepts, prevalent in ancient Tamil culture, is presented, alongside main mythological figures - Murukan, Mal, Cur, Korravai, Valli. A controversial notion of ananku, especially in its aspect of an inner female energy, is analyzed. In addition, the author explores the panegyric art of the Tamil kings' singers, describing such singers and performers while discussing the idea of ritual character. The elements of five canonical tinai-themes of the akam poetry are examined, where the use of ethnological data suggests that the themes are based on some behaviour patterns which are meant to ensure a reliable control over the female energy. Finally, the text raises the problem of earlier poetic forms that consolidated the tinai system.