Patirruppattu
Patirruppattu, translated as "the ten tens," is an important anthology of poems from the puram genre of ancient Tamil literature, specifically Caṅkam literature. This collection is a part of the larger anthology known as Eṭṭūtokai and is notable for its historical context, primarily praising the Cīra kings of the ancient Tamil region of Tamil Nādu. The anthology consists of ten sections, each representing a decade, although the poems from the first and tenth decades have been lost. The remaining verses, attributed to eight different poets, vary in length and detail significant historical events and cultural aspects of the time. Accompanying each decade are patikams, which serve as poetic prefaces or epilogues, offering valuable insights into the historical and sociological framework of the poems. Particularly noteworthy is the fifth decade, crucial for establishing the timeline of Cenkuttuvan's reign and the broader Caṅkam era. Overall, Patirruppattu provides a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Tamil history and literature, preserved through its poetic expressions.
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Patirruppattu
Related civilization: India (Tamil).
Date: second century b.c.e.-third century c.e.
Locale: Tamil Nādu
Authorship: Kumatturk Kannanar, Palaik Kautamanar, Kappiyarruk Kappiyanar, Paranar, Kakkaipatiniyar Naccellaiyar, Kapilar, and others
Patirruppattu
Patirruppattu (pah-TEE-rew-PA-tew; English translation, 1984), or the “ten tens,” is an anthology of poems of the puram (external) genre of Caṅkam literature and is part of the larger anthology called Eṭṭūtokai. Several verses have been lost, and in some cases, a few lines are missing. For the available verses, the line numbers are indicated at the end of every five lines. It is of tremendous historic significance because most of the verses are in praise of the Cīra kings of the ancient Tamil settlement of Tamil Nādu. The anthology is divided into ten sections that narrate historic details during ten decades; the poems of the first and tenth decades are missing. The remaining poems vary in length from eight to fifty-seven lines and were probably composed by eight poets. The patikams (poetic prefaces or epilogues) that accompany each decade are of later origin but are useful because they established the historic and sociological framework of the verses that follow. The fifth decade of the Patirruppattu is extremely significant, as it helps establish the regnal years of Cenkuttuvan and the Caṅkam era.
Bibliography
Hirosaka, Shu. Tamil Poetry Through the Ages. Chennai, India: Institute of Asian Studies, 1997.
Vacek, J., and S. V. Subramanian. A Tamil Reader: Introducing Sangam Literature. Chennai, India: Ulakat Tamilaraycci Niruvanam, 1989.
Zvelebil, Kamil Veith. Companion Studies to the History of Tamil Literature. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1992.