Tamil as a Classical Language (Collected Papers of the First International Symposium on Tamil as a Classical Language)

DETAILS : 

• Author : P. Thiagarajan
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Institute of Asian Studies, Chennai
  
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 1, 2010
  
• Edition ‏ : ‎ 2010th
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8187892463
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8187892465
  
• Weight : 700 G

ABOUT THE BOOK

Tamil as a Classical Language, edited by P. Thiagarajan, functions as a highly vital academic collection that gathers the research papers presented at the First International Symposium on Tamil as a Classical Language. Published by the Institute of Asian Studies (Chennai), this comprehensive volume spans nearly four hundred pages and serves as an invaluable reference tool for linguists, historians, and scholars of Dravidian studies. The primary philosophy of this work is to provide a unified, scientifically backed defense of Tamil's status as an ancient classical tongue, shifting away from emotional rhetoric to present concrete linguistic and archaeological proof.

The text delves deep into the structural, literary, and historical foundations of the language. It covers a broad range of scholarly topics, examining classical Sangam literature, ancient grammatical frameworks, and epigraphical records that trace the uninterrupted development of Tamil over millennia. The volume explores how the language preserves its distinctive antiquity while remaining fully functional in contemporary communication. By gathering peer-reviewed insights from global experts, the book creates an authoritative framework that highlights the unique contribution of Tamil to global linguistic heritage and comparative literature.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

P. Thiagarajan is an esteemed academic, editor, and language researcher who has worked extensively alongside institutional bodies like the Institute of Asian Studies to preserve and document South Asian literary history. His career has been heavily defined by organizing regional and international symposiums designed to bridge the gap between traditional Indian scholarly traditions and modern global research methods.

Thiagarajan's editorial approach is highly structured, objective, and anchored in linguistic data. Rather than padding the book with generalized commentary, he meticulously curates essays that focus strictly on verified textual evidence, historical grammar variations, and comparative linguistic analysis. His commitment to bringing regional classical literature to the global stage has established his compiled texts as essential reading for universities studying global heritage and historical linguistics.