Tolkāppiyam
Tolkāppiyam is an ancient Tamil text that serves as a foundational work on Tamil grammar and poetics. Believed to have been composed around the 3rd century BCE, it is attributed to the sage Tolkāppiyar. The text is divided into three sections: Ezhuthu, which deals with letters and sounds; Sol, focusing on words and their meanings; and Porul, which addresses the context and usage of language in literature.
The Tolkāppiyam is significant not only for its linguistic insights but also for its influence on Tamil literature and culture. It provides guidelines for poets and writers, emphasizing the importance of context and emotion in poetry. This work remains a crucial reference for scholars studying the Tamil language and its rich literary heritage.