Scenes From Tamil Classics
by
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The earliest body of Tamil literature that survives to the present day belongs to the period between the third century BC and the fourth century AD. The entirety of this literature is in verse form, and contains a wealth of elegant poetry. The poets and poetesses of that period wrote with their eyes focused on the panorama of actual life in the real world. They were more concerned with man’s reactions to nature and events than with dry philosophical speculations.
The themes of their poems were generally war and love, grief and munificence. In particular, their love poems are marked by delicate symbolism and restrained imagery. Another characteristic of early Tamil poetry is its understated and allusive quality. That is to say, emotions are not flaunted nor worn on the sleeve. This fact is evidence of the richly developed state of literary expression of the ancient Tamils.
Tamil is one of the four living classical languages of the world. The rich and rewarding treasury of Tamil poetic literature deserves to be known and enjoyed beyond the boundaries of the Tamil speaking regions of
Scenes from Tamil Classics is another such attempt to bring the Tamil Classics to the shelves of the libraries in the English speaking world. However there is a difference. Whereas most of the works of his predecessors are translations or works of literary criticism, the author of this work has set out to captivate his readers by providing vivid pen-paintings of selected verses from the Tamil classics.
The language used by the author is simple and lively, and the episodes depicted are universal in their appeal. He has attempted to make plain the latent feelings and suggestions implicit in the individual poems. The author has lit a torch to kindle an abiding love and interest for Tamil literature in many hearts and minds, and to enroll a company of new enthusiasts from all corners of the world. It is hoped that Scenes from Tamil Classics will serve to whet the literary appetite of all those with a taste for great literature.
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About the Book
Scenes from Tamil Classics is a book about Tamil poetry. Tamil is one of the very few living classical languages of the world and has a rich and copious literary, musical and religious tradition.
This book is primarily intended for expatriate Tamils, particularly to the children of Tamil immigrants in Europe,
In the selected extracts, the author paints in the details of the story or the situation which the poet has left unsaid, and draws out the inferences and allusions lying implicit in the poem. He thus brings the scene to life, and prevents the eye of the reader from passing too swiftly and superficially over the text. Instead, he stimulates the reader to reflect on the action and the feelings expressed, and enables him or her to appreciate more fully the artistry of the poem. In addition to extracts from ancient and medieval Tamil classics, Scenes from Tamil Classics provides a wide-ranging survey of Tamil literature.
This is a fresh and original book which leads the reader into a world which is many centuries and thousands of miles distant from our own. Beyond the particular readership mentioned above, there is much in these pages to give delight to anyone with an interest in literature and in the human condition.
About the Author
S. Sriskandarajah was born in
Whereas Mr Sriskandarajah’s professional career was in the field of law, Tamil language, literature and arts have been his consuming interest. He is a poet, an experienced radio presenter and public speaker. He is a regular writer, and has contributed many articles both in English and Tamil to various magazines and journals.While working in
He is married with two children, one of whom is a legal practitioner and the other a medical doctor. Mrs Mathini Sriskandarajah is a well known Tamil classical vocalist.