The Patron and the Needy Virtue in Sangam Literature

Abstract

Sangha literature is the repository of Tamil culture. In Sangam literature, Sangam texts have been created by the poets to describe the ancient people, the kings who were the leaders of the people, their ways of life and virtues like valor, love, and gift. Before the emergence of poets, there were oral singers named Panar (singers), Porunar (soldiers), Koothar (dancers), and Viraliyar (female songsters). The writing form was not in use in their time. There was only the pleasure of listening through the ears. The poets who found their way in education and created Sangam texts and the great men who found their way in artistic life, like Panar, Porunar, Koothar, and Viraliyar, who were the basis for the emergence of Sangam literature, have moved from place to place. Through the Sangam texts, it is known that many of these great people have suffered in poverty and weakness. Although these great people lived in poverty, they lived well even in poverty. To overcome their poverty and suffering, they sought kings and princes who could appreciate their talent and merit. These benevolent patrons fed those who came looking for them, relieved them from hunger and tiredness, gave them sustenance and alleviated their poverty, supported them and gave them life. The Sangam songs are used in this article to demonstrate the character of the poets who sought assistance, their noble minds, the excellence of charity, the usefulness of the patrons who have protected these great ones, the virtue of charity, the kind heart, the excellence of gifts, the gifts given by the patrons, the acts of kindness of ordinary citizens, and so on.