UPSC - Success with Tamil Literature

Tamil Literature:

· I have read a lot of Tamil novels and poems. Language has always been a relaxing subject. It does not put stress on the reader. Added to it, in a literary subject, we have the freedom to express our ideas. We can take sides on interpretive questions and substantiate it with facts. Though my Tamil handwriting is not too good, I do not usually get spelling mistakes. This gave me the confidence to select Tamil literature.

· I got advice on suggested reading from Dr. Iraianbu’s book and from Manidhaneyam faculty Dr. Sankara Saravanan. I started preparing for second optional, one week after Prelim exam got over. Books from Manidhaneyam library were very helpful.

· Classroom sessions of Manidhaneyam started mid June and were the sole source of my preparation. Tests were conducted regularly within prescribed syllabus. The classes and tests were extensive, in such a way that I never felt the pressure of writing the first Mains.

· I wrote down important, interesting and easy-to-remember lines of poetry and quotations separately and revise it often. I collected notes from library books, various scholar’s views on a topic (kurunthokai, purananuru, silambu, thirukkural).

· Usually the second paper will be an application of concepts in first paper. While preparing, do not restrict it to that paper alone. Find portions that are relevant to be used as quotes in the other paper (extensive reading on folk literature for first paper will help in muthupattan kadhai and malaiyaruvi ; deep reading of kurunthokai and purananuru, kudumba vilakku will help in citing examples for literary techniques like kuriyeedu, padimam and the like ; we can quote thiruvalluvar’s couplets for a question on almost any topic –kurunthokai, puram, silambu, kumbakarunan).

· Be open minded when you read any topic. Find where it overlaps with other topics and how it differs from a similar topic. Make notes from revision and keep them handy. Develop interest in the subject. Read Tamil for the sake of gaining knowledge and appreciating its literary excellence; do not associate it with the idea of marks or career.