18 Development of Literatura
Tamil literature. The Saivite Saints and Vishnavite Alwars were the leaders who were responsible for the great change in the field of Tamil Literature.
When the outlook and content changes and when the saints took up the vocation of justifying the ways of God to men, the style also changed. The structure of poetry changed. Alliterations and words set to music, resonant with religious fervour were employed to elevate the soul from its ordinary pitch to a soaring height. These devo- tional songs sung in the greater glory of God found a permanent place in Tamil Literature of middle ages.
In addition to these religious hymns, stories depicting the deeds and graceful actions of Hindu Gods and Goddesses were written in versé. The great King Anabayan who. was taking. a keen intetest in a Jain work ‘Chintamani’ was advised to stop his pursuit by Poet Sekkizhar and instead given the great book called Periapuranam the monumental work describing the life of great Nayanmars and the earthly actions of Lord Siva’ the God of Saivaites.
Next in chronology .appeats the greatest Tamil epic called Kamba Ramayanam, It is a translation of the Ramayana: of Valmiki. The noble hero, of the epic Rama is a Vishnavite, The antagonist of the’ hero, Ravana is a Saivite. �
