The UPSC offers Tamil Literature as optional in the civil services mains exam. It has become a reasonably common optional subject among UPSC CSE candidates. It also has a relatively high percentage of successful candidates. Tamil Literature has a rich legacy and can be an attractive choice because of its relevance even in the Art & Culture portion of the General Studies Paper-I.
Opting for Tamil Literature as the optional subject for your UPSC CSE Mains can be the logical choice because of the balanced competition it offers. Unlike traditionally popular subjects such as Geography, History and Public Administration, Tamil Literature does not have a massive number of aspirants. However, the numbers are not even as low as those of medical science or mathematics.
Tamil Literature can be an excellent choice with a static and relatively small syllabus if you make the right strategy for your UPSC Mains. However, if you do not know the Tamil language already, it will not be the right choice.
Tamil Optional Paper I
Answers must be written in Tamil
Section A
Part 1: History of Tamil Language
Major Indian Language Families—The place of Tamil among Indian Languages in general and Dravidian in particular—Enumeration and Distribution of Dravidian languages.
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.
Borrowing of words from other languages into Tamil—Regional and social dialects—difference between literary and spoken Tamil.
Part 2 : History of Tamil Literature
Tolkappiyam-Sangam Literature—The division of Akam and Puram—The secular characteristics of Sangam
Literature—The development of Ethical literature—Silappadikaram and Manimekalai.
Part 3 : Devotional Literature (Alwars and Nayanamars)
The bridal mysticism in Alwar hymns—Minor literary forms (Tutu, Ula, Parani, Kuravanji).
Social factors for the development of Modern Tamil Literature; Novel, Short Story and New Poetry—The impact of various political ideologies on modern writings.
Section B
Part 1 : Recent trends in Tamil Studies
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.
Part 2 : Folk literature in Tamil\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.
Part 3 : Cultural Heritage of the Tamils
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.
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.
Tamil Optional Paper II
Answers must be written in Tamil
The paper will require first-hand reading of the text prescribed and will be designed to test the critical ability of the candidate.
Section A
Part 1 : Ancient Literature
(1) Kuruntokai (1—25 poems)
(2) Purananuru (182—200 poems)
(3) TirukkuralPorutpal :ArasiyalumAmaichiyalum(from Iraimatchi to Avaianjamai).
Part 2 : Epic Literature
(1) Silappadikaram : Madhurai Kandam only.
(2) Kambaramayanam : Kumbakarunan Vadhai Padalam.
Part 3 : Devotional Literature
(1) Tiruvasagam : Neetthal Vinnappam
(2) Tiruppavai : (Full Text).
Section B
Modern Literature
Part 1 : Poetry
(1) Bharathiar : Kannan Pattu
(2) Bharathidasan : Kudumba Vilakku
(3) Naa. Kamarasan : Karappu Malarkal
Prose
(1) Mu. Varadharajanar : Aramum Arasiyalum
(2) C. N. Annadurai : Ye! Thazhntha Tamilagame.
Part 2 : Novel, Short Story and Drama
(1) Akilon ; Chittairappavai
(2) Jayakanthan : Gurupeedam
(3) Cho : Yaurkkum Vetkamillai
Part 3 : Folk Literature
(1) Muthuppattan kathai Edited by Na. Vanamamalai, (Publication : Madurai Kamaraj University).
(2) Malaiyaruvi, Edited by Ki. Va Jagannathan (Publication : Saraswathi Mahal, Thanjavur).
Other Optional Subjects
Agriculture
Animal Science
Anthropology
Botany
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Commerce and Accountancy
Economics
EEE Engineering
Geography
Geology
History
Law
Management
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Science
Philosophy
Physics
Political science
Psychology
Public Administration
Sociology
Statistics
Zoology
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