The Eighteen Greater Texts, known as Patiṉeṇmēlkaṇakku () in the literature, is the collection of the oldest surviving
Tamil poetry
Poetry (from the Greek language, Greek word ''poiesis'', "making") is a form of literature, literary art that uses aesthetics, aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meaning (linguistics), meanings in addition to, or in ...
. This collection is considered part of the
Sangam Literature
The Sangam literature (Tamil language, Tamil: சங்க இலக்கியம், ''caṅka ilakkiyam''), historically known as 'the poetry of the noble ones' (Tamil language, Tamil: சான்றோர் செய்யுள், ''Cā ...
and dated approximately between 100 BCE and 200 CE. A series of eighteen major anthologies, it contains the
Eight Anthologies
The Eight Anthologies, known as Eṭṭuttokai () or "Eight Collections" in the literature, is a classical Tamil poetic work that forms part of the Eighteen Greater Texts (''Patiṉeṇmēlkaṇakku'') anthology series of the Sangam Literature. ...
(''Ettuthokai'') and the
Ten Idylls (''Pattupattu''). The songs in the Eighteen Greater Texts anthology are set in the ''
Akaval'' style.
The Eighteen Greater Texts anthology contains 2,381 poems including the ten larger works belonging to the
Ten Idylls collection. These poems are attributed to 473 poets. Sixteen of the 473 poets are responsible for 1,177 of the 2,279 poems for which the name of the author is known. In all, 102 of the poems are anonymous. Notably, the ''
pathirruppathu'' collection exclusively collects poetry from the
Cheral kings (from Kerala), whereas the other collections contain a mix of poetry patronized by diverse Tamil kings.
Anthology
There is no information available on when these poems were collected or on the identity of the anthologist. These poems have passed through four stages of evolution. The poems were created by the bardic authors between 100 BCE and 200 CE. The poems were collected into the various anthologies.
colophons
See also
*
Eighteen Lesser Texts
The Eighteen Lesser Texts, known as the Patiṉeṇkīḻkaṇakku () in the literature, is a collection of eighteen poetic works mostly created during the 'post Sangam period' (between 100 and 500 CE). The poems of this collection differ from t ...
*
Sangam literature
The Sangam literature (Tamil language, Tamil: சங்க இலக்கியம், ''caṅka ilakkiyam''), historically known as 'the poetry of the noble ones' (Tamil language, Tamil: சான்றோர் செய்யுள், ''Cā ...
*
List of historic Indian texts
References
* Zvelebil, K. V. ''Abschnitt. Tamil literature'' (1975) Brill Academic Publishers
Sangam literature
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