Tolkāppiyam facts for kids

Tolkaapiyam (தொல்காப்பியம்) is a very old and important book about the grammar of the Tamil language. It helps us understand how the Tamil language works, from its sounds to how sentences are put together.

What is Tolkaapiyam?

The name of this ancient book, Tolkaapiyam, has a special meaning. The word Tol (தொல்) means "old" or "ancient," and Kappiyam (காப்பியம்) means "a literary work" or "a book." So, Tolkaapiyam literally means "an ancient literary work." It is one of the oldest books ever written about the Tamil language.

The Author: Tholkappiyar

The person who wrote Tolkaapiyam is known as Tholkappiyar. We do not know their exact name, but they are traditionally called Tholkappiyar because they wrote this famous "ancient work." It is believed that Tholkappiyar was one of the twelve students of a very wise teacher named Sage Agastya. Sage Agastya is often called the "Father of Tamil Grammar" because he was very important in developing the rules of the Tamil language.

Why is Tolkaapiyam Important?

Tolkaapiyam is incredibly important because it is the oldest known book on Tamil grammar. It teaches us about the rules of Tamil, including how words are formed, how sounds work together, and how sentences are structured. It also gives us clues about the ancient Tamil culture and the way people lived a very long time ago. This book helps scholars and students today understand the history and development of the Tamil language.