Words that were the elixir of life

Kumari Kandam is the place where the first Sangam was held. Sangam literature, one of the most ancient literature that exists showcases the socio-economic conditions of the Sangam period. The word "Sangam" means assembly where gods, legendary sages, and a large number of poets actively participated.

https://www.tripoto.com/kumari-kandam - The lost continent

A vanished Tamil civilization is thought to have lived on the fabled continent of Kumari Kandam, which is thought to be south of modern-day India in the Indian Ocean. Theoretically, Kumari Kandam is a remote land mass in both time and space. It was geographically in the Indian Ocean. This civilization was quite old in terms of time. Several Tamil authors use words like "once upon a time" or "many thousands of years ago" in place of dates when describing when Kumari Kandam was submerged. The Tamil revivalists were also able to explain why there is no solid proof of this old civilization that can be verified historically or accepted by science by citing a land lost to the sea. And it was in Kumari Kandam the first “Sangam” was held.

The word "Sangam" denotes "assembly, meeting, fraternity, or academy" in the literal sense. Tamil tradition holds that the Sangam literature emerged in remote antiquity through three periods, each lasting several millennia. According to mythology, the first academy existed for four millennia and was situated far south of the present-day city of Madurai, a place that was later "swallowed up by the sea," according to noted Tamil historian David Shulman. The second academy, which lasted three millennia and was located close to the eastern seashore town of Kapapuram, was similarly led by a remarkably long-lived Agastya. Floods ate up this. According to mythology, the 'Akattiyam and the Tolkppiyam'(literary works) were survivors from the second Sangam and served as mentors for the third Sangam academics.

The ***''Tirupputtur Tantakam'***by Appar, written in the seventh century CE, contains the oldest known mention of the Sangam narrative, while Perumparrap Nampi's 'Tiruvilaiyatal Puranam', written in the twelfth century, contains an expanded version.  According to mythology, the third Sangam, a group of 449 poet intellectuals, spent more than 1,850 years working in northern Madurai.

The two main categories of Sangam literature are puram (outer) and Akram (inner).  The Akam poetry explores sentiments and emotions in the context of sensuality, passionate love, and sexual union. Puram poetry discusses achievements and valiant actions in the setting of conflict and public life. A third of the Sangam poetry has an akam topic, and a fourth has a puram theme.

To learn, unlearn and relearn the earliest culture is the best way to explore one’s identity and Sangam is the melting pot of Tamil culture and provides an abundance of didactic information along with nuptial, social, and financial guidelines. Every literature has its own rich history likewise Tamil literature that took in a continent that remains mysterious even today extended its legacy over the period of time reflecting on its varied culture, traditions, and values.