Discrimination in Silapathikaram

Abstract

Silapathikaram is considered the best epic in Tamil literature. This epic is about the three kings who has been called Moovaendars and the three modes of entertainment such as literature, music and drama. The ancient people’s life style, social structure, standard of living of the people, caste discrimination, and folk song system have been highlighted in this text. Varuna (division of people based on caste) plays a major role in people's lives. Author IIangovadigal points out that this situation came from Silapathikaram period. The people are divided into four categories as priests, kings, merchants and servants. Though the text speaks well about merchants, it gave importance to priests. The protagonist Kovalan is highlighted in the text through the priests. Through this, we can feel their primacy in the society. Even though the kings and servants have material possessions, they are next to the Antananars (priests). In Silapathikaram, you can see a society where caste discrimination is established. It is not known whether this was the case at that time or whether the Ilangovadigal was trying to record such racial discrimination. Thus, the purpose of this article is to highlight the caste discrimination in Silapathikaram