Tamil Optional Syllabus

The Tamil Optional for the UPSC Civil Services Exam is a wonderful choice for candidates with a strong background in the Tamil language and its literature. The syllabus encompasses the development of Tamil, its grammar, and a thorough study of classical and contemporary Tamil literary works, including poetry, prose, and drama. This subject provides candidates with the opportunity to engage deeply with the rich cultural and literary heritage of Tamil Nadu. This post provides a detailed breakdown of the syllabus.

Paper I: Tamil Optional Syllabus

1. Section A:

   1. Part 1: History of Tamil Language

      1. Major Indian Language Families—The place of Tamil among Indian Languages in general and Dravidian in particular—Enumeration and Distribution of Dravidian languages.
      2. The language of Sangam Literature—The language of medieval Tamil : Pallava Period only—Historical study of Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs—Tense markers and case markers in Tamil.
      3. Borrowing of words from other languages into Tamil—Regional and social dialects—difference between literary and spoken Tamil.

   2. Part 2 : History of Tamil Literature

      1. Tolkappiyam-Sangam Literature—The division of Akam and Puram—The secular characteristics of Sangam Literature—The development of Ethical literature—Silappadikaram and Manimekalai.

   3. Part 3 : Devotional Literature (Alwars and Nayanamars)

      1. The bridal mysticism in Alwar hymns—Minor literary forms (Tutu, Ula, Parani, Kuravanji).
      2. Social factors for the development of Modern Tamil Literature; Novel, Short Story and New Poetry—The impact of various political ideologies on modern writings.

2. Section B:

   1. Part 1 : Recent trends in Tamil Studies

      1. Approaches to criticism : Social, psychological, historical and moralistic—the use of criticism—the various techniques in literature; Ullurai, Iraicchi, Thonmam (Myth) Otturuvagam (allegory), Angadam (Satire), Meyappadu, Padimam (image), Kuriyeedu (Symbol), Irunmai (Ambiguity)—The concept of comparative literature-the principle of comparative literature.

   2. Part 2 : Folk literature in Tamil

      1. Ballads, Songs, proverbs and riddles—Sociological study of Tamil folklore. Uses of translation—Translation of Tamil works into other languages-Development of journalism in Tamil.

   3. Part 3 : Cultural Heritage of the Tamils

      1. Concept of Love and War—Concept of Aram-the ethical codes adopted by the ancient Tamils in their warfare-customs beliefs, rituals, modes of worship in the five Thinais.
      2. The Cultural changes as revealed in post sangam literature—cultural fusion in the medieval period (Janism and Buddhism). The development of arts and architecture through the ages (Pallavas, later Cholas, and Nayaks). The impact of various political, social, religious and cultural movements on Tamil Society. The role of mass media in the cultural change of contemporary Tamil society.

Paper II: Tamil Optional Syllabus

1. Section A:

   1. Part 1 : Ancient Literature

      1. Kuruntokai (1—25 poems)
      2. Purananuru (182—200 poems)
      3. TirukkuralPorutpal :ArasiyalumAmaichiyalum(from Iraimatchi to Avaianjamai).

   2. Part 2 : Epic Literature

      1. Silappadikaram : Madhurai Kandam only.
      2. Kambaramayanam : Kumbakarunan Vadhai Padalam.

   3. Part 3 : Devotional Literature

      1. Tiruvasagam : Neetthal Vinnappam
      2. Tiruppavai : (Full Text).

2. Section B:

   1. Part 1 : Poetry

      1. Bharathiar : Kannan Pattu
      2. Bharathidasan : Kudumba Vilakku
      3. Naa. Kamarasan : Karappu Malarkal

   2. Part 2: Prose

      1. Mu. Varadharajanar : Aramum Arasiyalum
      2. C. N. Annadurai : Ye! Thazhntha Tamilagame.

   3. Part 3 : Novel, Short Story and Drama

      1. Akilon ; Chittairappavai
      2. Jayakanthan : Gurupeedam
      3. Cho : Yaurkkum Vetkamillai

   4. Part 4 : Folk Literature

      1. Muthuppattan kathai Edited by Na. Vanamamalai, (Publication : Madurai Kamaraj University).
      2. Malaiyaruvi, Edited by Ki. Va Jagannathan (Publication : Saraswathi Mahal, Thanjavur).