Arasu, V.
Professor and Head
Department of Tamil
University of Madras
E/
Recent Trends in Tamil Studies
Saturday, June 2nd
| 3:00 - 5:00 PM
The mid- nineteenth century witnessed the emergence of
new dimensions in Tamil studies. Though development of modern research
in Tamil can be dated back to the list of Tamil works compiled by
Bartholomeo Ziegenbalg (1682- 1719), it was Ellis who firmly set a new
agenda to Tamil studies. Caldwell developed it further. The three of
them together paved the way for comparative philology to take root in
Tamil studies.
Many research institutions were formed in late nineteenth century and
early twentieth century. Print came into widespread use and there was
the re-discovery of Tolkappiyam and Sangam literary texts. The discovery
of the Indus Valley system and the study of the Dravidian language
family widened the horizon of Tamil studies in the twentieth century.
The founding of IATR, the publication of the journal Tamil Culture,
Sangam studies by John. R. Marr, Kamil V. Zvelebil and George L. Hart
and linguistic research gradually spearheaded the shift from Indology to
Dravidology and from then on to Tamilology by the end of twentieth
century.
It is possible to classify the trends that have evolved in Tamil Studies
under the following heads:
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Hero stones found through archeological study and the Brahmi script identified on them have pushed forward the authentic history of the formation of proto -Tamil language and culture.
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These findings have initiated new studies in the deciphering of Indus valley symbols with the help of computer analysis.
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With the recognition of Tamil as a classical language, new readings of sangam texts have started flourishing.
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Dalit and feminist discourses are demanding a re- visioning of literary texts.
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Tamil Buddhism, writings of Iyotheedass and information about Laukiha Sangam have led to new critical readings of Periyar and contemporary thought.
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Documentation has improved qualitatively and has paved the way for new editions of texts, old and new.
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The enormous growth of the print industry has widened the scope and reach of Tamil research.
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The Sri Lankan ethnic struggle of over three decades and the attendant exile and diasporic experiences demand urgent and significant attention in the field today.
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V. Arasu has been serving in the Department of Tamil Literature, Univ.
of Madras from 1985 onwards and is presently the Professor and Head of
the Department. His areas of specialization are Contemporary Tamil
Literature, Media and socio- cultural history. He believes in academics
playing an active, constructive role in the critique of the workings of
social structures. He has consistently contributed to various academic
and little magazines in Tamil. He is the series editor of Kangu
monographs on relevant theoretical insights. He is also the editor of
Kattiyam, an International Theatre Journal in Tamil. His publications
include three volumes of Pudumai Pithan’s short stories based on the
magazines in which they came out first; A collection of V.O.C.’s works
and a Sahitya Akademi monograph on Mayilai Seeni Venkatasami.