Section A

Write short notes in about 200 words each: 2 × 5 = 10

1.
(i) Mrichhakatika as a literary text

https://assignment.ignouservice.in/2021/10/mrichhakatika-as-literary-
text.html#:~:text=Mrichhakatika%20as%20a%20literary%20text%20Mrichchhakatika%20as
%20a,emotion%2C%20such%20as%20love%2C%20disgust%2C%20anger%2C%20laughter
%2C%20etc.

(ii) Themes in Sangam poetry

The Sangam Age in Tamil country is significant and unique for its social, economic, religious
and cultural life of the Tamils. There was an overall development during this period. The
Sangam literature as well as the archaeological findings reveals these developments. In the
Sangam Age, the Tamil people had a common language and culture but, they lived in five
different natural landscapes.
On the basis of interpretation and context, the Sangam literature can be described into two
types viz. Akam (Poems of Love) and Puram (Poems of War). The topics of Akam are related
to personal and human aspects such as love and sexual things. The topics of Puram are
related to human experiences and emotions such as Heroism, Valour, Ethics and
Philanthropy. The natural landscapes or geographical regions were known as Tenai. The
themes which are the five Tenais are as follows:
 Kurinci (Mountainous Theme). The Kurinci Tenai refers to the hilly region and
signifying lovers meeting. 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 (Forests Theme) - It is a forest tract with green pastures signifying happiness
through the physical and emotional union. 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.
 Marutam (Low land Theme) - The region Marudham refers to fertile and cultivable
lands signifying a lover’s unfaithful attitude. Most of the people in this region were
called Vellalar because they practiced 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.
 Neytal (Coastal Theme) Neytal was the sea shore theme and signifying secret
meetings at the sea shore and lovers’ anxiety. The people of this region were known
as Parathavar or Meenavar. Fishing was their natural occupation. They were also
 famous sailors. A few people in this region produced and sold salt. They were called
Umanar. The God of the Neytal region was Varuna or the God of the sea.
 Palai (Desert Theme) - The term Palai refers to the wasteland signifying a lovers
frustrating journey through the deserted landscape. But there was no desert in the
Tamil country. Therefore, it could be said that whenever there was drought due to
the 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.

Reference to the Context in about 200 words each: 2 X 5 = 10

2. (i) “Perish the sinful thought, why are you out to sully your family’s honour;
and to make me fall; you are like a river that crumbles its banks to muddy its crystal stream,
and uproots the tree growing by its edge.” – solved assignment se

(ii) “No, you yourself must mention it in the right way to Dhrtarastra, the first of the Kurus,
O Saubala. I shall not be able to bring up the matter.” Book pg – 19 and solved
Section B
Answer the following in about 300 words each: 4 X 7.5 = 30
1. Examine the theme of love and marriage in Abhijnana Shakuntala?
https://www.myexamsolution.com/2022/01/the-theme-of-love-and-marriage-in-
abhijana-shakuntala.html#:~:text=The%20theme%20of%20love%20and%20marriage
%20in%20Abhijnana,perennial%20beauty%20and%20he%20also%20enjoys%20her
%20carnally.
And book pg 28
2. Discuss the role of fate and chance in the Mahabharata.
3. Comment on the use of metaphors in Mrichchhkatika?
4. Define akam and puram poetry.
https://adakshinamurthy.wordpress.com/introduction-to-sangam-literature/

Section C
Answer the following questions in about 650 words each: 4 X 12.5 = 50
1. How is the veer rasa and the shringara rasa evoked in Abhijnana Shakuntala?
https://echoeswithin82.blogspot.com/2021/03/rasa-theory-in-kalidasas.html

2. What do you think is Karna’s views on/ of Krsna in the Mahabharat?

3.How is the social dimension of the times treated in Sudraka’s Mrichchhkatika?

https://assignment.ignouservice.in/2021/10/how-is-social-dimension-of-times.html
https://nibblepop.com/society-in-mricchakatika/

4. Comment on the idea of justice as expressed in Cilappatikaran.

https://assignment.ignouservice.in/2021/10/comment-on-idea-of-justice-as-expressed.html