Folk Elements in Tholkappiyam

Abstract

Tholkappiyam is an ancient Tamil grammar text written by Tholkappiyar. In this text he gives an explanation that folk literary elements are a kind of poetry. Using this text, he explains that proverbs are nothing but a very old language used by people. The text gives a clear note about the four lands (Kurinji, Mullai, Mautham and Neithal), the name of their gods, about their worship and festivals. When looking at the omens in Tholkappiyam, the boy and girl goes to the village for love making and the friend of the girl appeals to the goddess and regrets the good and bad things that will happen to the lovers. The text also tells about the people’s belief of bringing out a silver umbrella and sword when king goes to war. They did this with a hope that everything will turn out to be good. The people of Tholkappiyar’s period followed these types of customs. The girls of his period were not allowed to travel abroad in ocean and they should not climb the flap. They followed many rituals and one among them is they sacrifice a person’s head to win the war. During and after the war they played a musical instrument called “Dudi”. Marriage took place in the presence of many elderly people and the bride was given to the groom’s family. The text tells the readers that what you speak should not hurt others.