Sangam literature refers to the ancient Tamil literature composed by poets in assemblies called 'Sangams'. It provides a window into the life, culture, and society of ancient Tamilakam.

Structure

• Ettuthogai: Eight Anthologies.
• Pattupattu: Ten Idylls.
• Tolkappiyam: The oldest extant Tamil grammar text.

Themes

• Akam: Interior, subjective themes (Love).
• Puram: Exterior, objective themes (War, King, Ethics).

Timeline

• c. 300 BCE - 300 CE: The Sangam Age.
• c. 2nd Century BCE: Composition of Tolkappiyam (early layers).