TAMIL

principal Dravidian language (see Inpr4, LANGUAGE). Spoken by c. 20 millions in 8. E. part of Indian peninsula and northern, half of Ceylon. Writing is modified square form of guage, Sen-Tamil, differs widely from. spoken language, Kodun-Tamil. Lit., more or le independent of Sanskrit, has attained to high degree of ethical and artistic beauty. Chronology of extant works is very uncertain. Madura is chief early literary center and seat of Sangam (Board of Censors). August an age (Il. and III. cent’s A. D.), period of greatest Sangam activity under royal patronage and principally under Jain and Buddhist influences. Many extant cla ics belong to Pallava period (V.-[X. cent’s A. D.), showing Hindu revival. Principal compositions: Tiru his sister Avvaiyar’s poems; Silappadhikaram (‘Epic of the Anklet’); (ethical poem); Chintamant and KamRamayanam (romantic epics); ban’s Midnapore district, Bengal, Brit. town, Soemierly a famous maritime city. as op. 9,000.