Question

Write a brief note on the development of Tamil Literature under the Cholas.

Answer 1

The development of literature, art, and architecture of the Chola period promoted the cultural value of the Chola rule. The Cholas made a lot of improvements in these fields. The Chola rule marked a milestone in the history of Tamil literature. The Chola kings gave many concessions and patronage to Tamil scholars and writers. Sangam literature deals with emotional and material topics such as love, war, governance and trade with the revival of Cholas power in the middle of the ninth century, the awareness for the literature and art broadened for the first time in history, an imperial state encompassed entire South India bringing with it the safety and security to the people and provided the opportunity for the people to experience cultures beyond their own. Tamil became the language of the people. One of the best known Tamil works of this period is the Kamban Ramayana by Kamban who flourished during the reign of Kulottunga III. It is the greatest epic in Tamil Literature, and although the author states that he followed Valmiki, his work is not a mere translation or even an adaptation of the Sanskrit epic.