களமபட பதனததல வளபபடம சஙக இலககயக கடடமபபகள சர ஒபபடட ஆயவ / A Comparative Study of Sangam Literary Structures Revealed in the Novel Kulambadi

This study explores the socio-economic and agricultural changes of early human communities within the Kurinji land and surrounding regions. It traces their evolution of the ancient Tamil society from herd hunter-gatherers to agriculturalists. As they migrated, they converted forests into agricultural lands, cultivated grains and improved soil fertility with manure. The improvement of water systems such as canals, ponds and dams facilitated irrigated agriculture. The studies also examine the cultural narratives of pastoral groups, especially Kurunji shepherds herding sheep, cows and buffaloes in mountainous and forested regions. It compares the novel “Kulambadi” with the above-mentioned glimpses from Sangam literature that reflect early agrarian and pastoral existence. It highlights the pastoral practices and ecological interactions portrayed in the novel “Kulambadi”. The comparative study reveals how Tamil traditional knowledge structures as depicted in Sangam poetry align with the portrayals in the novel Kulambadi. Through an interdisciplinary analysis, it highlights the interdependence of cattle management, irrigation and agriculture in shaping the subsistence techniques. It contributes to the discussions on sustainable use of land, historical ecology and the cultural memories of Tamil pastoral communities. The findings emphasise the adaptive resilience of the people of the Sangam Kurunji people and the characters of the novel seem to be in harmony amidst pastoral and agricultural livelihoods or finding the way towards ecological limits.