Here’s a list of recommended books for Tamil Literature optional subject for the IAS Mains Examination:
History of Tamil Literature:
- “A Text Book of History of Tamil Literature” by V.K. Subramanian
- “Tamil Ilakkiya Varalaru” by N. Subramanian
- “History of Tamil Literature” by K.A. Nilakanta Sastri
Grammar:
- “Tolkappiyam” – Ancient Tamil grammar text
- “Tamil Mozhi Varalaru” by T.P. Meenakshi Sundaram
Literature in Sangam Age:
- “Sangam Tamil Ilakkiyam” by K. S. Kanakarajan
- “Pattuppāṭṭu: Ten Idylls” translated by A. K. Ramanujan
- “Kuruntokai: An Anthology of Classical Tamil Love Poetry” translated by E. Annamalai
Literature in Post-Sangam Age:
- “Naladiyar” – Anthology of ethical poems
- “Tirukkural” by Thiruvalluvar
- “Thevaram” and “Thiruvasagam” – Devotional hymns by Nayanars
- “Divya Prabandham” – Devotional hymns by Alwars
Modern Literature:
- “Modern Tamil Literature: Its Cultural Background” by M. Varadarajan
- “A History of Modern Tamil Literature” by K. A. Manikumar
- “A Critical History of Modern Tamil Literature” by K. Thirumaran
Literary Forms:
- “Tamil Ilakkiya Vaazhviyal” by M. Varadarajan
- “Tamil Ilakkiya Nooru” by S. Vaiyapuri Pillai
Aristocratic Literature:
- “Sangam Poetry” by A. K. Ramanujan
- “Silappadikaram” by Ilango Adigal
- “Manimekalai” by Seethalai Saathanaar
Folk Literature:
- “Tamil Folk Music: A Study in Cultural Context” by T. K. Venkatasubramanian
- “Folklore of Tamil Nadu” by K. Karunakaran
General Books:
- “Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude” by Chronicle Publications
- “Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude” by G. Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chowdhury