14 Development of Literature third Sangam. The country that extended beyond the Cape Comorin was swallowed by the ravaging sea and the Tamil country was limited to a narrower compass. The loss was a great and irreparable one. The only middle Sangam work that escaped the deluge was Tholkappiam. Most of the literature which developed after this age is now extant and it flourished under the patronage of great Kings and lovers of Tamil. Many of the ancient Tamil Kings were poets themselves. Of the two collections of poems belonging to the Sangam Age, 'Pattuppattu* contains ten poems- as the name itself denotes. They are long poems glorifying the heroic deeds and noble qualities of certain kings. One of the ten poems describes the capital of Chola Nad, which was washed away by the sea, namely Kavirippoompattinam. The great cities Kancheepuram and Madurai are also mentioned. The seasons namely Kar (Rainy season) and Vaadai (Cold season) are described. These poems clearly reflect the life of all the people of Tamil Nad in all its various aspects. Next comes of eight books Ettuthokai* - poetical collection as the name suggests. Each
- See Appendix.
