Social Life:
In the Sangam Age, the Tamil people had a common language
and culture. But, they lived in five different natural landscapes.
These natural landscapes or geographical regions were known as
Tinais . The five Tinais referred to in the Sangam literature
were Kurinji, Mullai, Marudham, Neydal and Palai. Each Tinai
was geographically distinct from the other. Moreover, each of these
regions had reflected their own social characteristics.
Kurinji:
The Kurinji Tinai refers to the hilly region. The people in
this region were called Vettuvar and Kuravar. Hunting was their
primary occupation. They also cultivated fruits and vegetables and
gathered honey. They worshipped Murugan or Seyon.
Mullai:
It is a forest tract with green pastures. The people of this region
domesticated animals. The people of the Mullai region were called as
Kovalar or Ayar. Being shepherds, they produced dairy products like
milk, curd and ghee. Their chief deity was Thirumal or Mayon.
Marudham:
The region Marudham refers to fertile and cultivable lands.
Most of the people in this region were called as Vellalars because
they practised agriculture. They cultivated paddy, sugar cane and
a variety of fruits like mango, plantain and Jackfruit. Irrigation
methods were also known to them. Their chief deity was Indra or
the rain God.
Neydal:
Neydal was the coastal region. The people of this region were
known as Parathavar or Meenavar. Fishing was their natural
occupation. They were also famous sailors. A few people of this
region produced and sold salt. They were called as Umanar. The
God of the Neydal region was Varunan or the God of the sea.
Palai:
The term Palai refers to the desert region. But, there was no
desert in the Tamil country. Therefore, it could be said that
whenever there was drought due to failure of rains, that region
was called as Palai. The people of this region were called as
Maravar or Kalvar. They were forced to live as robbers due to
poverty. Maravar were also known for their heroism. These people
worshipped the Goddess Kotravai or Kali.
In the Sangam Age, the Tamil people had a common language
and culture. But, they lived in five different natural landscapes.
These natural landscapes or geographical regions were known as
Tinais . The five Tinais referred to in the Sangam literature
were Kurinji, Mullai, Marudham, Neydal and Palai. Each Tinai
was geographically distinct from the other. Moreover, each of these
regions had reflected their own social characteristics.
Kurinji:
The Kurinji Tinai refers to the hilly region. The people in
this region were called Vettuvar and Kuravar. Hunting was their
primary occupation. They also cultivated fruits and vegetables and
gathered honey. They worshipped Murugan or Seyon.
Mullai:
It is a forest tract with green pastures. The people of this region
domesticated animals. The people of the Mullai region were called as
Kovalar or Ayar. Being shepherds, they produced dairy products like
milk, curd and ghee. Their chief deity was Thirumal or Mayon.
Marudham:
The region Marudham refers to fertile and cultivable lands.
Most of the people in this region were called as Vellalars because
they practised agriculture. They cultivated paddy, sugar cane and
a variety of fruits like mango, plantain and Jackfruit. Irrigation
methods were also known to them. Their chief deity was Indra or
the rain God.
Neydal:
Neydal was the coastal region. The people of this region were
known as Parathavar or Meenavar. Fishing was their natural
occupation. They were also famous sailors. A few people of this
region produced and sold salt. They were called as Umanar. The
God of the Neydal region was Varunan or the God of the sea.
Palai:
The term Palai refers to the desert region. But, there was no
desert in the Tamil country. Therefore, it could be said that
whenever there was drought due to failure of rains, that region
was called as Palai. The people of this region were called as
Maravar or Kalvar. They were forced to live as robbers due to
poverty. Maravar were also known for their heroism. These people
worshipped the Goddess Kotravai or Kali.
