Tamil language belongs to the southern branch of the Dravidian languages. This language descends from Proto Dravidian. Tamil has the most ancient non-Sanskritised Indian literature among all Indian languages. Scholars have categorized the history of the language into three periods, Old Tamil (300 BCE - 700 CE), Middle Tamil (700-1600) and Modern Tamil (1600-present).
The Tamil dialects are:
1) Madras Tamil
2) Madurai Tamil
3) Coimbatore or Kongu Tamil
4) Tirunelveli or Nellai Tamil
5) Kanyakumari Tamil
6) Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli Tamil
7) Jaffna or Yazhpanam Tamil
8) Trincomalee or Tiriconamalai Tamil
9) Batticaloa or mattakkalappu Tamil
1) Madras Tamil
2) Madurai Tamil
3) Coimbatore or Kongu Tamil
4) Tirunelveli or Nellai Tamil
5) Kanyakumari Tamil
6) Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli Tamil
7) Jaffna or Yazhpanam Tamil
8) Trincomalee or Tiriconamalai Tamil
9) Batticaloa or mattakkalappu Tamil
Tamil, along with other Dravidian languages, can be traced back to its origins in the Proto-Dravidian language. It is believed that Proto-Dravidian was spoken around the third millennium BC, possibly in the region near the lower Godavari river basin. Archaeological evidence suggests that the speakers of Proto-Dravidian were associated with the Neolithic cultures of South India.
In the realm of Indian languages, Tamil boasts the most ancient non-Sanskritic Indian literature. Scholars divide the documented history of the language into three distinct periods: Old Tamil (600 BC–AD 700), Middle Tamil (700–1600), and Modern Tamil (1600–present).
The earliest surviving literary works in Tamil, along with their commentaries, hold great admiration for the Pandiyan Kings. These kings were credited for organizing the Tamil Sangams, long-term gatherings that focused on the research, development, and refinement of the Tamil language. While the language developed by these Tamil Sangams is referred to as Tamil, the exact period when the name "Tamil" came into common usage remains uncertain, as does the precise etymology of the name.
The earliest documented use of the term "Tamil" can be found in the Tholkappiyam, a literary work believed to date back to the late 2nd century BC. Additionally, the Hathigumpha inscription, attributed to Kharavela, the Jain king of Kalinga during a similar time period, makes a reference to a Tamira Samghatta, meaning a Tamil confederacy. Furthermore, the Samavayanga Sutra, which dates to the 3rd century BC, includes mention of a Tamil script called 'Damili.' These inscriptions and references provide valuable historical evidence of the existence and significance of the Tamil language during ancient times.
According to Hindu mythology, the origin of Tamil, or Tamil Thai (Mother Tamil) in personified form, can be traced back to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Murugan, venerated as the Tamil God, together with the sage Agastya, bestowed the gift of Tamil language upon the people.
In the realm of Indian languages, Tamil boasts the most ancient non-Sanskritic Indian literature. Scholars divide the documented history of the language into three distinct periods: Old Tamil (600 BC–AD 700), Middle Tamil (700–1600), and Modern Tamil (1600–present).
The earliest surviving literary works in Tamil, along with their commentaries, hold great admiration for the Pandiyan Kings. These kings were credited for organizing the Tamil Sangams, long-term gatherings that focused on the research, development, and refinement of the Tamil language. While the language developed by these Tamil Sangams is referred to as Tamil, the exact period when the name "Tamil" came into common usage remains uncertain, as does the precise etymology of the name.
The earliest documented use of the term "Tamil" can be found in the Tholkappiyam, a literary work believed to date back to the late 2nd century BC. Additionally, the Hathigumpha inscription, attributed to Kharavela, the Jain king of Kalinga during a similar time period, makes a reference to a Tamira Samghatta, meaning a Tamil confederacy. Furthermore, the Samavayanga Sutra, which dates to the 3rd century BC, includes mention of a Tamil script called 'Damili.' These inscriptions and references provide valuable historical evidence of the existence and significance of the Tamil language during ancient times.
According to Hindu mythology, the origin of Tamil, or Tamil Thai (Mother Tamil) in personified form, can be traced back to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Murugan, venerated as the Tamil God, together with the sage Agastya, bestowed the gift of Tamil language upon the people.
