a fresh impetus was given to music. We might say that both these arts flourished in highly developed forms about the time or Surfoji Raja of Tanjore (1780-1830). Subsequently, plays in imitation of Shakespeare's dramas, Kirtans and Harikatas were written for public performances and music came to be appreciated and patronized by the middle and lower classes, who under the British rule were rising in importance, and the arts themselves were being affected by democratic influences. This is a subject which the writer does not feel competent to treat adequately. The reader is referred to the interesting book of Mr. Day and the illuminating contributions of Dr. Coomaraswamy.
From the existing Tamil literature it is not possible to determine its exact range, as it was subject to vicissitudes, one of which we have already mentioned. Several works by Jains and Buddhists, who were among the earliest to encourage the growth of Tamil literature, are not now forthcoming ; and it is believed that most of them were destroyed when Buddhists and Jains were persecuted during the seventh and eighth centuries. As we have said elsewhere 'a good portion of its extensive literature preserved for ages on palm leaves had long ago been consumed by fire and white ants... And such as had escaped these destructive agencies remained locked up in the dingy cellars of the lascivious, Mathadhipatis and in the thatched houses of penniless pandits’ Even if all the writings of the early and mediæval
