IAS Exam Tamil Books List

Here’s a list of recommended books for Tamil Literature optional subject for the IAS Mains Examination:

History of Tamil Literature:

  1. “A Text Book of History of Tamil Literature” by V.K. Subramanian
  2. “Tamil Ilakkiya Varalaru” by N. Subramanian
  3. “History of Tamil Literature” by K.A. Nilakanta Sastri

Grammar:

  1. “Tolkappiyam” – Ancient Tamil grammar text
  2. “Tamil Mozhi Varalaru” by T.P. Meenakshi Sundaram

Literature in Sangam Age:

  1. “Sangam Tamil Ilakkiyam” by K. S. Kanakarajan
  2. “Pattuppāṭṭu: Ten Idylls” translated by A. K. Ramanujan
  3. “Kuruntokai: An Anthology of Classical Tamil Love Poetry” translated by E. Annamalai

Literature in Post-Sangam Age:

  1. “Naladiyar” – Anthology of ethical poems
  2. “Tirukkural” by Thiruvalluvar
  3. “Thevaram” and “Thiruvasagam” – Devotional hymns by Nayanars
  4. “Divya Prabandham” – Devotional hymns by Alwars

Modern Literature:

  1. “Modern Tamil Literature: Its Cultural Background” by M. Varadarajan
  2. “A History of Modern Tamil Literature” by K. A. Manikumar
  3. “A Critical History of Modern Tamil Literature” by K. Thirumaran

Literary Forms:

  1. “Tamil Ilakkiya Vaazhviyal” by M. Varadarajan
  2. “Tamil Ilakkiya Nooru” by S. Vaiyapuri Pillai

Aristocratic Literature:

  1. “Sangam Poetry” by A. K. Ramanujan
  2. “Silappadikaram” by Ilango Adigal
  3. “Manimekalai” by Seethalai Saathanaar

Folk Literature:

  1. “Tamil Folk Music: A Study in Cultural Context” by T. K. Venkatasubramanian
  2. “Folklore of Tamil Nadu” by K. Karunakaran

General Books:

  1. “Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude” by Chronicle Publications
  2. “Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude” by G. Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chowdhury

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