Most ancient Texts in Tamil
The following is an extract from the book "The Smile of Murugan"
by Prof. Kamil Zvelebil on the most ancient texts in the Tamil language (Kamil Zvelebil, The Smile of Murugan - On Tamil literature of
South India, E.J.Brill, Leiden, The Netherlands, 1973).
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The earliest poems contained in these texts belong roughly to 100 B.C.-
250 A.D. The upper limit for these anthologies is the 5th-6th Cent.
A.D. Linguistically, this period is usually described as Early Old
Tamil. At the beginning of this period, we have the Urtext of the
Tolkappiyam. At the end of this period, we have the earliest poetics
of Tamil, the Akapporul of Iraiyanar.
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Text Details Approx. date
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Early Tamil Brahmi The two rock-inscriptions of 3rd -1st
Inscriptions. Netunceliyan at Mangulam. Cent. B.C.
Asoka's Brahmi introduced
around ca. 250 B.C. into the
Tamil country. Adapted between
250-220 to Tamil.
Ur-Tolkappiyum: First standardization of the 2nd-1st .
Eluttatikaram and Tamil language; the first Cent. B.C
Collatikaram minus literary norm of Maturai
later interpolations. between ca. 200-50 B.C.,
based on oral bardic liter-
ature, pre-literary tradi-
tions and "pre-Sangam" lit-
erature of ca 250-150 B.C.
The earliest strata of Earliest "Sangam" poets: 1st Cent. B.C.
extant Tamil literature Ammuvan (Ak. 10, 35, 140 etc. - 2nd A.D.
in the Anthologies: Aink. 101-102, Kur. 49,125,
early poems of 163 etc.; Nar. 4, 35 etc.)
Ainkurunuru,Kuruntokai, Otalantai (Aink. 301-400,
and Narrinai,prob.also Kur. 12, 21, 329), Orampoki
purananuru and (Ak. 286, 316, Aink. 1-100
Akananuru Kur. 10, 70, 122 etc.,Nar.
20, 360, Pur. 284), Kapilar
the Elder (Aink. 201-300 etc.
Peyan (Aink. 401-500 etc.).
Arikamedu graffiti and 1st-2nd Cent.
the related group of Tamil A.D.
Brahmi Inscriptions at
Anaimalai etc.
The Satavahana bilingual Ca. 150-200.
coin. A.D
The earliest strata in Kapilar the Elder, Mutat- 2nd-3rd Cent.
the Pattuppattu tamakkanni, Katiyalur A.D.
anthology: Uruttiran Kannan.
Porunararruppatai,
Perumpanarruppatai,
Pattinappalai,
Kurincippattu.
The middle strata of the e.g.Paranar (150-230 A.D.), 2nd-4th Cent.
Anthologies: Ainkuru- Nakkirar the First, A.D.
nuru, Kuruntokai, Nar- Mankutimarutan.
rinai, Patirruppattu,
Akananuru, Purananuru,
Malaipatukatam, Matu-
raikkanci, Netunalvatai.
Late Tamil Brahmi Later inscriptions from 3rd-4th Cent.
Inscriptions:the Ceral Araccalur, Mamantur etc. A.D.
inscriptions at Pukalur
etc.
Later strata of the e.g. Nagpputanar, 3rd-5th Cent.
Anthologies: Nallur Nattattanar. A.D.
Patirruppattu,
Akananuru, Purananuru,
Mullaippattu, Cirupan-
arruppatai.
Transitional Tamil Brahmi 5th-6th Cent.
(Proto-vatteluttu) Inscrip- A.D.
tions at Pillaiyarpatti
and Tirunatarkunram.
Latest strata of the 4th-6th Cent.
Anthologies: e.g. A.D.
Cirupanarruppatai (?).
Iraiyanar's Akapporul.
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