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Question 1

What is Silappadhikaram?

Answer 1

Silappadhikaram, or Tales of the Anklet, is one of the greatest Tamil epics composed around the 4th century AD by Ilango Adigal.

Question 2

Who is the author of Silappadhikaram?

Answer 2

The author of Silappadhikaram is Ilango Adigal, believed to be the brother of the Chera ruler Senguttuvan.

Question 3

What are the three chapters of Silappadhikaram?

Answer 3

Silappadhikaram is divided into three chapters: Puhar Kandam, Madurai Kandam, and Vanjikandam.

Question 4

What kingdoms are included in Silappadhikaram?

Answer 4

The epic includes the Chola, Pandya, and Chera kingdoms.

Question 5

What is the Sangam period?

Answer 5

The Sangam period refers to an era in ancient Tamil Nadu that produced a wealth of literary works, divided into three Sangams.

Question 6

How is Sangam literature categorized according to Tolkappiyam?

Answer 6

Tolkappiyam categorizes Sangam literature into Eighteen Greater Texts and Eighteen Lesser Texts, organized through three lenses: phonetics, morphology, and content.

Question 7

What are Thinais in Sangam literature?

Answer 7

Thinais are classifications of landscapes used to evoke human emotions and themes in Sangam literature, divided into Akam (internal) and Puram (external).

Question 8

What is the structure of Silappadhikaram?

Answer 8

Silappadhikaram is structured as an epic divided into three books, with a total of 30 cantos.

Question 9

Where do the events of Silappadhikaram occur?

Answer 9

The events occur in the capital cities of the Chola, Pandya, and Chera kingdoms: Puhar, Madurai, and Vanji.

Question 10

Who are the main characters in Silappadhikaram?

Answer 10

The main characters are Kannagi, Kovalan, and Madhavi, representing loyalty, infidelity, and artistic talent, respectively.

Question 11

What does Kannagi do after Kovalan’s death?

Answer 11

Kannagi goes to the court to prove Kovalan’s innocence by breaking her anklet, revealing its true nature.

Question 12

What does the title Silappadhikaram signify?

Answer 12

The title translates to The Tale of an Anklet, symbolizing innocence and justice within the narrative.

Question 13

What are the five main Thinais for Akam?

Answer 13

The five main Thinais for Akam are Kurinji, Mullai, Marutam, Neytal, and Palai, each representing different emotional landscapes.

Question 14

What are the seven Thinais for Puram?

Answer 14

The seven Thinais for Puram are Veti, Vanci, Ulinai, Thumpai, Vakai, Kancei, and Patan, focusing on external human experiences.

Question 15

What are the epic elements in Silappadhikaram?

Answer 15

Key epic elements include invocation and praise, the four ends of human life, heroic figures, descriptions of nature, cultural elements, social and political elements, erotic themes, and moral lessons.

Question 16

What are the four ends of human life?

Answer 16

The four ends are dharma (duty), artha (wealth), kama (desire), and moksha (liberation), influencing the characters’ actions in Silappadhikaram.

Question 17

What is Artha in the context of Silappadhikaram?

Answer 17

Artha refers to the pursuit of wealth, which can cause separation in marital relationships. Kovalan’s quest for wealth through merchant ventures is central to the narrative and leads to his downfall due to temptation and infidelity. Wealth, while necessary, can disrupt social and moral order if not pursued according to dharma.

Question 18

What role does Kama play in Silappadhikaram?

Answer 18

Kama represents desire, particularly in the relationships between Kovalan, his wife Kannagi, and his mistress Madhavi. The conflict between marital love (kalavu) and extramarital desire (karpu) illustrates the dangers of unchecked desire, as seen in Kovalan’s affair and subsequent regret.

Question 19

How is Moksha represented in Silappadhikaram?

Answer 19

Moksha, or liberation, is subtly incorporated through Kannagi’s deification as the goddess Pattini. Her moral virtue and chastity elevate her to a higher spiritual plane, symbolizing liberation from earthly constraints and the attainment of divine justice.

Question 20

What is the significance of the four ends of human life in Silappadhikaram?

Answer 20

The four ends of human life—dharma, artha, kama, and moksha—shape the narrative and character actions. They influence the moral framework of the epic, guiding characters toward their fates and providing insight into the ethical and spiritual dimensions of the story.