Reasons for Naming the Project: The Sangam History

by Dr. Jayabarathi, Malaysia

There is actually further significance to the name of Madurai, which justifies this name being given to such a project.

Our proto-historical legends say that there was already a Madurai called Then Madurai (Southern Madurai). This was situated in the land of Kumari, by the river called Kanni. The first academy/library called Sangam was established here. The first scholar to preside over that first Sangam or Thalai Sangam was iRaiyanaar. He is identified with "Thiripuram eriththa virisadaik KadavuL" The patrons were, hereditarily, the Pandiyan kings. This, then, was the earliest Madurai.

After a cataclysm, the capital shifted to a place called Kabaadapuram, by the river Kumari. This city was south of the present Kumari Cape. It is mentioned in the Raamaayana of Vaalmiiki. Here was the Second Sangam or Idai Sangam and was thought to be presided by Murugak KadavuL. Murugan in this context is called "KunRam eRintha KumaravEL". Incidentally, Krishna has also presided over this Second Sangam. He is known by the name of "Thuvaraik KOmaan". The TholkAppiyam is the only remaining work belonging to this time.

After another debacle, the capital was shifted to the present Madurai. Here was the Third Sangam or Kadai Sangam. The famouse "ThiruviLaiyaadal" by iRaiyanaar with Tharumi and Nakkeerar happened in this period. The literary compilations that go by the name of Ettuththogai and Paththuppaattu belong to this Sangam. Due to some unclear circumstances, this Sangam came to an end.

The Jains dominated the scene in Madurai around 4th-7th centuries. It was during this time that many of the works belonging to "Pathinen kIzh kaNakku" were composed. The "5 Perum Kaappiyam" also took their shape during this period, as did the "5 SiRum Kaappiyam".

The Jains under a very eminent scholar/priest called Vajra Nandhi, formed a Tamil Sangam in Madurai. For some reasons best known to the scholars concerned, this Tamil Sangam was not deemed as the Fourth Tamil Sangam, but just went under the modest proprietary name of "Vajra Nandhi Tamil Sangam".

Even after the Turkish invasion and during the Telugu Nayak rule, Tamil studies were actively pursued in Madurai. It was during this time, that Nachchinaarkkiniyar wrote the commentaries to Tolkaappiyam and the other Sangam works. He was a native of Madurai. If not for him, much of the Sangam literature would have got lost forever. The meanings of the Sangam poetry also would have been lost. The remaining Sangam literature would have remained as a museum piece, waiting to be deciphered, like the Harappan seals.

Then we come to the 19th century. There was a great awakening of the Tamils and U.V. Saminatha Aiyer, Thamodharam Pillai, and others brought to light many of the ancient Tamil works which had hitherto remained in obscurity. Tamils wanted to live back the ancient glory. A Tamil Sangam was formed in Madurai by Prince Paandi Thurai Thevar and other scholars. This was the Fourth Madurai Tamil Sangam.

So naming the proposed electronic text archive project devoted to tamil literature after this great historic city Madurai is very appropriate.