Meaning of the term Sangam used during sangam age
The term “Sangam” refers to an assembly or gathering of poets and scholars that took place during the Sangam Age in ancient Tamil Nadu, India. The Sangam period is considered to be the classical period of Tamil literature, spanning roughly from 300 BCE to 300 CE.
According to ancient Tamil literature, the Sangam was a formal assembly of poets, scholars, and intellectuals who gathered to discuss various topics such as literature, art, music, science, and politics. These assemblies were often held in the courts of kings and patrons, who would sponsor the poets and scholars and provide them with food, lodging, and other amenities.
The Sangam period is known for its rich literary tradition, which produced some of the finest works of Tamil literature, including the famous epics Silappathikaram and Manimekalai. These works were composed by the poets and scholars who attended the Sangam gatherings and were considered to be among the greatest achievements of Tamil literature.
The Sangam Age was a time of great cultural, social, and political development in Tamil Nadu, marked by the emergence of powerful kingdoms, the growth of trade and commerce, and the flourishing of the arts and sciences. The Sangam assemblies played a key role in fostering this cultural and intellectual growth, providing a platform for the exchange of ideas and the cultivation of knowledge.
Today, the term “Sangam” is still used to refer to a gathering or assembly of scholars or intellectuals, and the legacy of the Sangam period continues to be celebrated in Tamil Nadu and beyond.