With reference to the Tamil Literature, consider the following statements:
1. Tolkappiyam is the earliest Tamil grammar, and is attributed to the Second Sangam.
2. The Ettutogai were composed during the First Sangam.
3. Puram, which dealt with the praise of kings, is one of the groups of poetry in Tamil literature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1,2 and 3 only
Explanation Statement 1 is correct: Tamil tradition tells of three literary schools (sangam) which met at Madurai. The first of these was attended by gods and legendary sages, but all its works have perished. Of the second, there survives only the early Tamil grammar, Tolkappiyam. The poets of the third Sangam, on the other hand, wrote the “Eight Anthologies” (Ettutogai), which are the greatest testament of ancient Tamil literature. But again dating them is problematic as it is almost certain that the grammar Tolkappiyam, attributed to the second Sangam, is later than many of the poems of the Third. The poetry of the “Eight Anthologies” is little known outside the land of its origin. Poetry in Tamil literature was divided into two main groups: “internal” (agam), that dealt with love, and “external” (puram), which dealt with the praise of kings.
Statement 2 is not correct: The Eight Anthologies (Ettutogai) were composed during the Third Sangam and remain an essential testament to Tamil literary tradition.
Statement 3 is correct: Poetry in Tamil literature was classified into two broad categories—Agam (internal), which dealt with themes of love, and Puram (external), which primarily focused on the praise of kings.
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