|
Tamil literature’s love for nature
PUDUCHERRY: In a novel
attempt to help protect environment, 36 students
and three academic staff of Tagore Arts College
have published essays with excerpts taken from
Tamil literature of the Sangam and Tholkappiam
era. Their book containing 41 essays was
released at a function organized by the Council
for Science and Technology here on Wednesday.
One of the student authors said the excerpts
explained that our forefathers gave due
importance to conservation of nature. Moreover,
it brought to light the wisdom of Tamil
language, which has been forgotten along with
its writers. Speaking at the function, Special
Secretary to the Government for Science,
Technology and Environment G Theva Neethi Das
said, “Creating awareness of environment through
Tamil literature has two benefits. One,
obviously, is that it brings environmental
issues into focus. The second is that it
glorifies the Tamil literary history.” He said
Tamil literature dealt with various topics in as
much that almost all disciplines have been
covered in various scripts over the ages — from
Tholkappiam era writers to those of modern age.
|
|
|
“Ancient texts of Vallalar speak
about Jeeva Karunya Ozhukkam, which means all
living beings are one and the same. It also
dealt with how much people of that bygone era
respected nature,” event coordinator
Krishnakumar pointed out. P Devaraj, a former
Indian Forest Service officer and now with
Pondicherry University, explained how ancient
texts spoke about controlling waves in rivers.
“The texts of Devaram written by Thirugnana
Sampantham showed how much people respected the
rivers. The text says that the temples of Lord
Siva should always be built near sacred rivers,”
he said. He added that temples were built with a
huge garden and ponds in the vicinity, which
again showed the importance of nature. N Ramesh,
environmental engineer at the Puducherry
Pollution Control Board, and Ramasamy Murugan,
professor, Department of Physics, Pondicherry
University, also spoke.
