Grammar and versification

STUDIES IN TAMIL PROSODY AND POETICS: Dr. Annie Thomas; International Institute of Tamil Studies, Tharamani, Chennai- 600113. Rs. 45.

AMONG THE five types of traditional Tamil grammar, that dealing with verse composition in all its aspects known as ``Yappu'' is unique. In Tolkappiyam which is the earliest extant grammar work in Tamil, the rules of grammar covered the verse and metre forms of the poetic literature of that period. In later days metre forms grew in number and consequently the grammar works dealing with them also multiplied. Of these ``Yapparunkalam'' and ``Yappurunkalakarikai'' are considered outstanding by the learned.

The book under review is a collection of seminar papers and articles on Tamil prosody and poetics. In the nine sections, the grammar on versification has been critically dealt with, evidencing commendable research on the subject over a period of years. Some subtle details have been researched from the matter dealt with in Porulathikaram of the Tolkappiyam in the section ``Yappu''. Particularly the critical examination of the variations in the grammatical form for versification during Tolkappiyar's time and the later works on the same subject like Yapparunkalam and Yapparunkalakarikai is admirable. Such an examination of the grammatical subdivisions - Ezhuttu, Acai, Cir, Talai, Ati, Totai - by a comparative study of their definitive aspects found in Tolkappiam, Viracoliyam and Ilakkanavilakkam, is an useful effort and will benefit research scholars. The author has traced the influence of Sanskrit in genres like ``Gadyam'' and ``Padyam'' found in ancient grammar works like Viracoliyam, Tonnul Villakkam and accepted in Tamil literature later.

While discussing the first section of ``Pattiyal'', ``Poruttam'' dealing with the concord in letters and words whereby the commencing letter or word of any work is prescribed so as to make it auspicious, the author concludes that this practice, dictated by religious and caste influence, and found only in later works, cannot be accepted as logical or scientific considering that this could be the result of an impact of a non-Tamil culture, both Indian and foreign. This view of the learned author is not acceptable because since the Vedic age, letters and words have been established to have extreme potency as in ``Mantras'', and such letters and words, which are auspicious and could bring about prosperity and alleviation of diseases have also been identified and prescribed in ancient texts for appropriate usage. This is the tradition followed in all Dravidian languages. In many verses of the Sangam era, the beginning word or letter follows this practice.

Generally the belief about the auspicious beginning of a work or verse is in vogue from very ancient times. Poets like Tiruvalluvar, Kamban and Sekkizhar and poets of the Sangam age have adopted this practice. The later grammar works like ``Pannirupattiyal'' deal with this in extenso.

In the section ``The impact of Sanskrit on Tamil prosody'', the author has proved convincingly that the later grammarians have not quite followed the letter-line concept of Tolkappiar's period. In the same section while maintaining that there is not much impact of Sanskrit in the 96 types of Pirapantams except Jathaka Astamangalam, Patadikesam, Kesatipadam, Dasanga Alankara Panchakam, Anugrahamala Sataka, the author concedes the metrical structure in name and form have imbibed the influence thereby indicating a very close relationship, which Tamil language and culture had with Sanskrit and its culture for a considerable period.

The section ``Studies in Prosody and Ani'' gives detailed information about the substantial research work done so far on ``Yappani'' grammar and states what remains to be done still. ``Ullurai'' (inner meaning) has been illustrated effectively with the Ainkurunuru verse 65 and the Kurunthokai verse 165 indicating how Tolkappiar has handled this. Similar illustration of ``Iracci'' is done with the Kurunthokai verse 208.

This collection offers a fine unbiased research of a scholar in the rather difficult ``Yappilakkanam'' and will be a welcome book for Tamil scholars and a treasure house for research students.

K. A. MANAVALAN

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