Proof of the Existence of Tamil Language and Literature Before the Sangam Period

The Sangam period, often associated with ancient literary exhibitions or festivals, is a significant milestone in the development of Tamil literature. However, it is important to understand the historical and linguistic context that led to the formation of this rich literary tradition. In this article, we delve into the evidence that supports the existence of Tamil language and literature before the Sangam period.

Phenomenon of the Sangam Period

The term 'Sangam' refers to a literary festival or assembly where Tamil poets gathered to recite and celebrate their works. Such events suggest a robust literary tradition, implying the existence of a well-developed language and literature prior to these gatherings. It is a natural progression for a language to have a rich cultural and literary tradition to host such events. Therefore, the Sangam period is a reflection of an already established and sophisticated literary landscape in Tamil.

Evidence of the Tamil Language Before the Sangam Age

Emerging from the scholarly consensus, it is established that the Thirukkural, a notable text of Tamil literature, is more than 2000 years old. Most of the literature from the first Sangam age predates even the Thirukkural, indicating a long period during which Tamil literature accumulated and evolved. Classical literature cannot flourish in a language that has just recently evolved. Hence, it is reasonable to assume that the Tamil language had reached a classical level before the birth of Christ.

Chronology and Evolution of Tamil

The absence of loan words in the first and second Sangam Tamil literature suggests that the language had evolved independently and in its purest form. This independent evolution of Tamil extends the timeline of its development far beyond the traditional Sangam period. Understanding the age of Tamil literature requires us to look at the linguistic and historical evidence that points to a much earlier origin of the language.

Archaeological and Linguistic Evidence

A significant archaeological discovery at Quseir-al-Qadim in 2007 revealed ancient Tamil Brahmi inscriptions on pottery dating back to the first century BC. Additionally, there are apparent Tamil loanwords in Biblical Hebrew dating from before 500 BC, which is the oldest attestation of the language. These findings imply that Tamil was a spoken language in this region long before the Sangam period.

Tamil Literature in Historical Context

Tamil literature is some of the oldest in India, predating the classical Indo-Aryan Sanskrit literature. Stone inscriptions from the 3rd century BC provide some of the earliest evidence of Tamil writing. However, the oldest known writing in the region, the Sumerian script, dates from around 3400 BC in Sumer near the Persian Gulf. The influence of local materials on the evolution of writing, such as clay for tablets and reeds for styluses, provides a fascinating insight into the context of early Tamil script.

Timeline and Evolution of Tamil

The earliest known Tamil writing is attested in inscriptions and potsherds from the 5th century BCE. Three distinct periods in the evolution of Tamil literature have been identified: Old Tamil (from about 450 BCE to 700 CE), Middle Tamil (700–1600), and Modern Tamil (from 1600). This timeline underscores the continuous development and refinement of the language over several centuries.

Early Tamil Literary Figures

According to Tamil sources, Agastya is recognized as the father of Tamil literature. This designation recognizes his role in the early development and formalization of Tamil language and literature. The classification system for Tamil languages, including Tamil, Malayalam, and related languages like Kodava, reflects the diverse linguistic and cultural heritage of the region.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the existence of Tamil language and literature before the Sangam period is well-supported by historical, archaeological, and linguistic evidence. The discovery of ancient Tamil inscriptions and potsherds, the independence of Tamil evolution from other languages, and the recognition of early Tamil literary figures all contribute to our understanding of the rich and complex history of Tamil.