Which of the following literary works of Sangam period has been considered as a collection of the oldest surviving Tamil Poetry? 

The correct answer is Patinenmelkanakku.

Key Points

• Patinenmelkanakku is a collection of the oldest surviving Tamil poetry from the Sangam period.
• The term Patinenmelkanakku translates to "The Eighteen Greater Texts," which are highly esteemed in Tamil literature.
• It consists of 18 works, including renowned texts like Thirukkural, which is considered a masterpiece of ethics and morality.
• This literary work belongs to the Sangam period, a significant era in the history of Tamil literature that spanned approximately 300 BCE to 300 CE.
• The poems in Patinenmelkanakku are deeply rooted in themes like ethics, governance, love, and virtues.
• These texts are pivotal in understanding the cultural, social, and political life of ancient Tamil society.
• The Sangam period's poetry is notable for its rich linguistic elegance and profound philosophical insights.

 Additional Information

• Ettuthokai
  • Ettuthokai, meaning "Eight Anthologies," is another significant collection of Tamil Sangam literature.
  • It comprises eight works and focuses on themes of love (Akam) and war (Puram).
  • The poems in Ettuthokai are shorter compared to those in Patinenmelkanakku and are primarily anthologies of various poets.
• Pattuppattu
  • Pattuppattu, also known as "Ten Idylls," is a collection of ten long poems from the Sangam period.
  • These poems focus on heroism, love, and the beauty of Tamil landscape and culture.
  • The style of writing is more elaborate and descriptive compared to other Sangam works.
• Manimekhlai
  • Manimekhlai is one of the five great Tamil epics, but it is not part of the Sangam literature.
  • It is a Buddhist epic and focuses on the life and journey of Manimekhlai, the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi.
  • The text explores themes of philosophy, spirituality, and compassion.