| Title | தமிழி (Tamili) / சங்கத் தமிழ்Old Tamil (Sangam Period)Caṅka Tamiḻ Old Tamil |
|---|---|
| Description | Old Tamil (300 BCE – 700 CE) is the earliest attested stage of the Tamil language and the oldest classical language of the Dravidian family. It is the language of the textual corpus known as "Sangam Literature" (*Caṅka Ilakkiyam*), comprising the *Eṭṭuttokai* (Eight Anthologies), *Pattuppāṭṭu* (Ten Idylls), and the earliest extant grammar, *Tolkāppiyam*. Unlike Modern Tamil, Old Tamil preserves archaic phonological features (such as the *āytam* and distinct uses of *ḻ*), a morphological system rich in appellative verbs (*kurippu vinai*), and a unique poetic topography known as *Tiṇai*. Epigraphically, it is attested in Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions found in caves (e.g., Mangulam) and pot-sherds (e.g., Keezhadi/Adichanallur). |
| Alternate Names & Variants | Native Names: தமிழி சங்கத் தமிழ் Indic Names: Old Tamil Sangam Tamil English Names: Old Tamil Sangam Tamil Early Tamil Alternate Names: Tamili Damili Dravida |
| Language ID | INHF-LNG-2802433257-02:00:12:07:01:26-OTAM |
| URI | |
| API URL | https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/languages/old-tamil |
| Language Family | Dravidian(South Dravidian I) |
| Status | Classical / Historical |
| ISO Codes | ISO 639-1: taISO 639-2: tamISO 639-3: oty |
| Glottolog Code | oldt1248 |
| Wikidata URI | |
| Regions | Tamilakam (modern Tamil Nadu & Kerala) Sri Lanka (Jaffna, Anuradhapura) |
| Time Periods | Sangam Period (300 BCE - 300 CE) Post-Sangam (300 CE - 700 CE) |
| Dynasties | Chera Chola Pandya Satyaputras Velir Chieftains |
| Script Associations | Tamil-Brahmi Vatteluttu (Late) |
| Related Languages | Malayalam (Later divergence) Kannada Telugu Gondi |
| Literary Works | Tolkappiyam Purananuru Akananuru Kuruntokai Natrinai Silappathikaram (Late Old Tamil) |
| Inscription Types | Cave Inscriptions (Madurai) Pottery Graffiti (Keezhadi) Hero Stones (Natukal) |
Your contribution helps preserve India's ancient temples, languages, and cultural heritage. Every rupee makes a difference.
Secure payment • Instant 80G certificate