Question

What is the theme of Purampattukal?
A. Personal and family affairs
B. External affairs like war and trade
C. Social affairs
D. Religious affairs

Answer 1

Hint: In simple terms, Puram means exterior and the genre Purampattukal focuses on the public aspect of human lifestyle. These poems often talk about the kings, the way they live, the way they deal with other rulers, gifts etc.

Complete Answer: The Indian Literature can be divided into ancient and classical literature. One relates with Sanskrit, with its roots in Rig Veda. The other is completely based in south India and it is classified as Dravidian Languages which are completely different from Sanskrit.Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam are the four major literary Dravidian languages and Tamil is the oldest among all. Tamil poetry is divided into two categories, Puram and Akam. The themes of Puram covered the inner world and Akam covered the outer world.The themes of the Puram focused on the public life, trade, war, death and praise and honour of the king while the themes of the Akam dealt with love affairs. The earliest work of Tamil grammar and literature, Tolkapiyyam deals with the personal and family affairs.
For Tamil poetry, Purampattukal and Akampattukal laid the foundation. It is believed that these poems from the $19^{th}$ century onwards, the poems were reaching a wider audience in the sphere of modern politics and social world.

Thus, the correct option is B.

Note: While in Puram, the personal name of a person will be identified but in the Akam concept of literature the name will never be identified. Puram is also considered as a historical record as it contains the names of kings, poets and places.