Educational Ideas in Moral Tamil Literature

In the Pathinenkilkanakku collection of books that arose in order to uphold righteousness, and in the moral books that followed them, the poets have expounded educational thoughts with interesting songs. Our forefathers have sung songs in Tamil texts even before western scholars have spoken about the importance of education. The kings of the Sangam age ruled the country with the help of learned men. An uneducated person, even if he had acquired a great deal of wealth, was treated with contempt. The authors of the moral books, who know the importance of education, have not only mentioned righteousness in their books but have also praised education in many songs. Thus, the songs of the poets of the moral book become the subject of study under the categories of merits of education, method of obtaining education, method of education, mode of expressing education, and the status of the unlearned.