Karaikkal Ammaiyar as the Pioneer of Innovation in Tamil Literary Tradition

தமிழ் இலக்கிய நெறிப் புதுமையாக்கத்தின் முன்னோடி காரைக்கால் அம்மையார்

Abstract

Until the beginning of the 20th century, devotional literature filled a major portion of Tamil literary space. Tamil devotional literature is unparalleled in quantity compared to any other language in the world. The devotional movement that emerged in the 6th century CE brought many changes in the socio-religious historical context of Tamil society, including the spread, circulation, and intervention among religions. During the devotional movement period, Nayanmars and Alwars emerged and enriched both Tamil language and their respective religious traditions.
Even before the devotional movement period, around 3rd-5th century CE, Karaikkal Ammaiyar, a holy woman, established her unique place and dominated the literary world. She was an innovator who introduced many novelties into the ocean of Tamil literature. This article explains how Tamil literature gained rejuvenation through the literary techniques she employed.
Karaikkal Ammaiyar contributed 143 songs to the Tamil literary world:
Arputha Thiruandadhi - 101 songs
Thiru Irattai Manimaalai - 20 songs
Mootha Thirupathigam - 22 songs
She was the first to use the Venba meter in devotional literature, which had been popular in ethical literature. Following her example, the first Alwars, Thirumazhisai Alwar, Nammalwar and others composed devotional hymns in Venba meter.