[Combined Technical (Non-Interview)-2024] Mention the name of the book where the following lines depict the uncertainty of life.
"Thiraiyidum manalinum palarae uraisela
malarthalai ulagam aandu kazhinthorae"

Correct Answer: A [Madurai Kanji]

Notes:

These lines are from Madurai Kanchi by Mangudi Maruthanar; they stress the impermanence of life — more kings than the grains of sand cast up by the waves have ruled the world and passed away.

2.

[Combined Technical (Interview)-2024] "Kokilathai naan viduppen kokulamum
kaakkai inam aagi valiyaanukku anjume"
What do you mean by "Kokilam"?

Correct Answer: B [Cuckoo]

Notes:

"Kokilam" is the Sanskrit-derived word for the cuckoo; since the cuckoo is raised in the crow's nest, it is treated as the crow's kin and rejected as a messenger.

3.

[Combined Technical (Interview)-2024] In 'Kurunthogai' whose love is compared to "Sembula Peyalneer"? The love between the

Correct Answer: D [Heroine and her hero]

Notes:

Kurunthogai 40 (by Sembulappeyalneerar) compares the union of the hero's and heroine's hearts to rain water mingling with red soil.

4.

[G1/1A-2025] Match the following customs with literature:
(a) A custom performed by an unrequited lover – 1. Kuruntogai
(b) A custom of mixing palmyra, sugarcane juice with coconut water – 2. Manimegalai
(c) Custom of offering crow with white rice and ghee – 3. Tholkappiam
(d) The custom of painting the walls of private houses – 4. Purananuru

Correct Answer: A [3 4 1 2]

Notes:

Madal-eruthal by an unrequited lover is described in Tholkappiyam, mixing palmyra, sugarcane juice and tender-coconut water in Purananuru, offering ghee-rice to the crow in Kurunthogai 210, and painting house walls in Manimegalai.

5.

[G1/1A-2025] Choose the right matches among these:
1. In ancient days, it was Tamil culture to conduct marriages on a spread of sand – Akananuru
2. The groom fastened a thali upon the bride – Tholkappiyam
3. There was a practice among the people of the bride to give dowry to the groom's family – Nannul
4. There was the practice of conducting the marriage in front of fire – Silappadikaram

Correct Answer: A [1 and 4 are correct]

Notes:

Akananuru (86, 136) describes weddings held on freshly spread sand, and in Silappathikaram Kovalan and Kannagi marry by going round the sacred fire; the thali and dowry statements do not match those works.

6.

[G2/2A-2025] Match the following:
(a) Symbol of wooing – 1. Kuruntogai
(b) Symbol of love – 2. Leaf of the Asoka tree
(c) Crow a good harbinger – 3. Natrinai
(d) Pandil game mentioned in – 4. White lily

Correct Answer: B [2 4 1 3]

Notes:

The Asoka leaf (thazhai) is the token of wooing and the white lily the symbol of love; Kurunthogai (210) treats the cawing crow as a harbinger of guests; the pandil game is mentioned in Natrinai.

7.

[G2/2A-2025] Match the following:
(a) Thalai sanga pulavanar thammul – 1. Kambar
(b) Akan podhiyil thirumunivan Tamil sangam – 2. Chekilar
(c) Koodalin aaintha ondeen Tamil – 3. Thirugnana Sambandar
(d) Madurai thokaiyakkinan – 4. Manikkavasakar

Correct Answer: D [2 1 4 3]

Notes:

These references to the Tamil Sangam occur respectively in the works of Sekkizhar, Kambar, Manikkavasakar (Thirukkovaiyar – 'koodalin aaintha ondeen Tamil') and Thirugnana Sambandar.

8.

[G2/2A-2025] Who was the female poet who focused on heroism in the Tamil society of the Sangam era as 'Thondruvan matho porkalathane'?

Correct Answer: B [Kaval Pendu]

Notes:

In Purananuru 86, Kaval Pendu answers one who asks where her son is: her womb is like a tiger's lair, and he will be found on the battlefield.

9.

[G2A Mains Re-Exam-2026] Choose the special features of Kalithogai.
(i) The word "Madaleral" has been spoken.
(ii) No parables are included.
(iii) The love of the wicked (lowly) is present.

Correct Answer: B [(i) and (iii) only]

Notes:

Kalithogai speaks of madal-eruthal (perunthinai) and also depicts the love of lowly persons such as dwarfs and hunchbacks; it is, however, rich in similes.

10.

[G2A Mains Re-Exam-2026] Manimegalai of Chithalai Satanar mentions that the most popular festival of Indira Vizha was celebrated in ________

Correct Answer: A [Puhar]

Notes:

The opening canto of Manimegalai (Vizhavarai Kathai) describes the Indra festival celebrated in the Chola port city of Kaveripoompattinam (Puhar).

11.

[G2A Mains (Revoked)-2026] What was the advice given to Pandian Nedunjchezhiyan by Kudapulaviyanaar in a Purananooru poem in order to get the following blessings:
(1) Eternal bliss after death
(2) To conquer the entire world
(3) Perpetual glory

Correct Answer: A [Create ponds in the low-lying water-logging areas]

Notes:

In Purananuru 18, Kudapulaviyanar advises Pandiyan Nedunchezhiyan to build water bodies in low-lying land, for those who store water gain bliss hereafter, rule over the world and win lasting fame.

12.

[ARGS-2020] Who pronounced the words 'Sangamali Tamil'?

Correct Answer: D [Thirumangai Aazhvar]

Notes:

Thirumangai Azhvar praised Tamil as 'Sangamali Tamil' — the Tamil rich with the Sangam.

13.

[ARGS-2020] "Irunthamizhae unnaal irunthaen ________ virunthamizhtham endraalum vendaen." (Whose nectar-feast?)

Correct Answer: A [Imaiyor]

Notes:

In Tamil Vidu Thoothu the poet says he lives by Tamil and would refuse even the nectar of the Imaiyor (celestials).

14.

[ARGS-2020] Who said the following words?
"Melt the iron and make steel, forge machines"

Correct Answer: C [Subramania Bharathi]

Notes:

Bharathiyar, in his song 'Bharatha Desam', urged people to melt iron and build machines, calling for industrial progress.

15.

[AHGS-2021] Match List I with List II and select the correct answer:
(a) Pasippini maruthuvar – 1. Agathiyar
(b) Nannool Pulavar – 2. M.P. Sivagnanam
(c) Kurumuni – 3. Vallalar
(d) Silambuchelvar – 4. Seethalai Sathanar

Correct Answer: C [3 4 1 2]

Notes:

Pasippini maruthuvar (healer of hunger) – Vallalar; Nannool pulavar – Seethalai Sathanar; Kurumuni – Agathiyar; Silambuchelvar – M.P. Sivagnanam.

16.

[AHGS-2021] Match the following and select the best option:
Poets – Persons praised
(a) Paranar – 1. Kuttuvan
(b) Avvaiyar – 2. Nalli
(c) Kakkai Padiniyar – 3. Azhisi
(d) Kollimalai Kannanar – 4. Ezhini

Correct Answer: C [3 4 2 1]

Notes:

Paranar sang of Azhisi, Avvaiyar of Ezhini (of Adhiyaman's line), Kakkai Padiniyar of Nalli, and Kollimalai Kannanar of the Chera Kuttuvan.

17.

[TNPSC-2022] "Nallathu seithal aatreer aayinum
Allathu seithal oombumin"
Who sang this song?

Correct Answer: B [Nariveroothalaiyar]

Notes:

In Purananuru 195, Nariveroothalaiyar advises: even if you cannot do good, at least refrain from doing evil.

18.

[TNPSC-2022] According to Purananuru, who was the head of the learned poets?

Correct Answer: C [Mankudi Marudanar]

Notes:

In Purananuru 72, Pandiyan Nedunchezhiyan vows that, if he fails, may the poets 'headed by Mangudi Maruthan' not sing of him — naming him as the chief of poets.

19.

[G6 Forest Apprentice-2022] As per Sage Vasista, one kind of evidence i.e. "Lekhya" denotes

Correct Answer: A [Documentary evidence]

Notes:

The Vasishtha Dharmasutra classifies proof as lekhya (written document), sakshi (witnesses) and bhukti (possession); lekhya means documentary evidence.

20.

[EO-GIII-2022] Why is Kalki praised as the Walter Scott of Tamil Nadu?

Correct Answer: C [Because he wrote historical novels]

Notes:

Kalki is compared to the English historical novelist Walter Scott for his historical novels such as Ponniyin Selvan, Sivagamiyin Sabatham and Parthiban Kanavu.

21.

[EO-GIII-2022] Match the following and select the correct answer:
Poets – Region
(a) Marudhanar – 1. Orakadam (Chengai)
(b) Vanganar – 2. Edaikadu (Kumari)
(c) Kadanar – 3. Alangudi (Pudukottai)
(d) Kandarathanar – 4. Kurungudi (Nellai)

Correct Answer: B [4 3 2 1]

Notes:

Sangam poets are known by their native places: Kurungudi Marudhanar, Alangudi Vanganar, Idaikadanar (Edaikadu) and Orakattu Kandarathanar.

22.

[EO-2022] The longest poem of Pattuppattu, Madurai Kanchi, with more than 700 lines, was written by

Correct Answer: D [Mangudi Maruthanar]

Notes:

Madurai Kanchi (782 lines), the longest of the Pattuppattu, was composed by Mangudi Maruthanar on Pandiyan Nedunchezhiyan.

23.

[EO-2022] The character of the courageous mother in the battlefield in Sangam literature is praised by

Correct Answer: B [Okkur Masathiyar]

Notes:

In Purananuru 279, Okkur Masathiyar praises a brave mother who, having lost her father and husband in war, sends her only son to battle.

24.

[DPGS-2022] According to ________ trade links existed between the Malabar Coast and Arabia even before the establishment of the Roman Empire.

Correct Answer: C [A.P. Ibrahim Kunju]

Notes:

Historian A.P. Ibrahim Kunju noted that trade links between the Malabar coast and Arabia existed even before the Roman Empire.

25.

[CEGS-2022] Who was the Cambridge University professor who said there is nothing in world literature that can go beyond the standard of Sangam literature?

Correct Answer: B [R.E. Asher]

Notes:

Linguist R.E. Asher praised Sangam literature, saying nothing in world literature surpasses its standard.

26.

[G1-2022] "Oorellaam koodi olikka azhuthittu
perinai neekki pinamendru perittu"
Who defined death as an undeniable force?

Correct Answer: B [Thirumoolar]

Notes:

In Thirumanthiram, Thirumoolar describes the impermanence of the body: when one dies, the whole town gathers, weeps, removes his name and calls him a 'corpse'.

27.

[G1-2022] Who said, "Tamizhodu isaippaadal marandhariyen"?

Correct Answer: B [Thirunaavukkarasar]

Notes:

"Tamizhodu isaippaadal marandhariyen" is a line from the Thevaram of Thirunavukkarasar (Appar).

28.

[G1-2021] Who wrote the poem that has this as the opening line
– 'Anbu sivam irandenbar arivilar'?

Correct Answer: D [Thirumoolar]

Notes:

'Anbu sivam irandenbar arivilar; anbe sivamavadhu aarum arigilar' is a verse from Thirumoolar's Thirumanthiram, teaching that love itself is Siva.

29.

[G1-2021] Who among the four Nayanmars made his heart the temple for Lord Siva?

Correct Answer: B [Poosalar]

Notes:

According to Periya Puranam, Poosalar Nayanar of Thiruninravur, lacking wealth, built a temple for Siva in his own mind.

30.

[ACF-2023] "The term 'virtue' (aram) has got eight different meanings in Tamil." Find out the author of the statement.

Correct Answer: C [K.T. Thirunaavukkarasu]

Notes:

Tamil scholar K.T. Thirunavukkarasu stated that the word 'aram' carries eight different meanings in Tamil.

31.

[ACF-2023] According to Thirumoolar, one should control his five senses like a

Correct Answer: C [Tortoise]

Notes:

Thirumoolar's simile: just as a tortoise withdraws its five limbs into its shell, one should restrain the five senses.

32.

[ACF-2023, CAGS-2022] Who sang the holy verse "Paavai padiya vaayaal kovai"? (The mouth that sang Paavai goes on to sing Kovai on God)

Online Quiz

Correct Answer: A [Madurai Kanji]

Notes:

These lines are from Madurai Kanchi by Mangudi Maruthanar; they stress the impermanence of life — more kings than the grains of sand cast up by the waves have ruled the world and passed away.

Correct Answer: B [Cuckoo]

Notes:

"Kokilam" is the Sanskrit-derived word for the cuckoo; since the cuckoo is raised in the crow's nest, it is treated as the crow's kin and rejected as a messenger.

Correct Answer: D [Heroine and her hero]

Notes:

Kurunthogai 40 (by Sembulappeyalneerar) compares the union of the hero's and heroine's hearts to rain water mingling with red soil.

Correct Answer: A [3 4 1 2]

Notes:

Madal-eruthal by an unrequited lover is described in Tholkappiyam, mixing palmyra, sugarcane juice and tender-coconut water in Purananuru, offering ghee-rice to the crow in Kurunthogai 210, and painting house walls in Manimegalai.

Correct Answer: A [1 and 4 are correct]

Notes:

Akananuru (86, 136) describes weddings held on freshly spread sand, and in Silappathikaram Kovalan and Kannagi marry by going round the sacred fire; the thali and dowry statements do not match those works.

Correct Answer: B [2 4 1 3]

Notes:

The Asoka leaf (thazhai) is the token of wooing and the white lily the symbol of love; Kurunthogai (210) treats the cawing crow as a harbinger of guests; the pandil game is mentioned in Natrinai.

Correct Answer: D [2 1 4 3]

Notes:

These references to the Tamil Sangam occur respectively in the works of Sekkizhar, Kambar, Manikkavasakar (Thirukkovaiyar – 'koodalin aaintha ondeen Tamil') and Thirugnana Sambandar.

Correct Answer: B [Kaval Pendu]

Notes:

In Purananuru 86, Kaval Pendu answers one who asks where her son is: her womb is like a tiger's lair, and he will be found on the battlefield.

Correct Answer: B [(i) and (iii) only]

Notes:

Kalithogai speaks of madal-eruthal (perunthinai) and also depicts the love of lowly persons such as dwarfs and hunchbacks; it is, however, rich in similes.

Correct Answer: A [Puhar]

Notes:

The opening canto of Manimegalai (Vizhavarai Kathai) describes the Indra festival celebrated in the Chola port city of Kaveripoompattinam (Puhar).

Correct Answer: A [Create ponds in the low-lying water-logging areas]

Notes:

In Purananuru 18, Kudapulaviyanar advises Pandiyan Nedunchezhiyan to build water bodies in low-lying land, for those who store water gain bliss hereafter, rule over the world and win lasting fame.

Correct Answer: D [Thirumangai Aazhvar]

Notes:

Thirumangai Azhvar praised Tamil as 'Sangamali Tamil' — the Tamil rich with the Sangam.

Correct Answer: A [Imaiyor]

Notes:

In Tamil Vidu Thoothu the poet says he lives by Tamil and would refuse even the nectar of the Imaiyor (celestials).

Correct Answer: C [Subramania Bharathi]

Notes:

Bharathiyar, in his song 'Bharatha Desam', urged people to melt iron and build machines, calling for industrial progress.

Correct Answer: C [3 4 1 2]

Notes:

Pasippini maruthuvar (healer of hunger) – Vallalar; Nannool pulavar – Seethalai Sathanar; Kurumuni – Agathiyar; Silambuchelvar – M.P. Sivagnanam.

Correct Answer: C [3 4 2 1]

Notes:

Paranar sang of Azhisi, Avvaiyar of Ezhini (of Adhiyaman's line), Kakkai Padiniyar of Nalli, and Kollimalai Kannanar of the Chera Kuttuvan.

Correct Answer: B [Nariveroothalaiyar]

Notes:

In Purananuru 195, Nariveroothalaiyar advises: even if you cannot do good, at least refrain from doing evil.

Correct Answer: C [Mankudi Marudanar]

Notes:

In Purananuru 72, Pandiyan Nedunchezhiyan vows that, if he fails, may the poets 'headed by Mangudi Maruthan' not sing of him — naming him as the chief of poets.

Correct Answer: A [Documentary evidence]

Notes:

The Vasishtha Dharmasutra classifies proof as lekhya (written document), sakshi (witnesses) and bhukti (possession); lekhya means documentary evidence.

Correct Answer: C [Because he wrote historical novels]

Notes:

Kalki is compared to the English historical novelist Walter Scott for his historical novels such as Ponniyin Selvan, Sivagamiyin Sabatham and Parthiban Kanavu.

Correct Answer: B [4 3 2 1]

Notes:

Sangam poets are known by their native places: Kurungudi Marudhanar, Alangudi Vanganar, Idaikadanar (Edaikadu) and Orakattu Kandarathanar.

Correct Answer: D [Mangudi Maruthanar]

Notes:

Madurai Kanchi (782 lines), the longest of the Pattuppattu, was composed by Mangudi Maruthanar on Pandiyan Nedunchezhiyan.

Correct Answer: B [Okkur Masathiyar]

Notes:

In Purananuru 279, Okkur Masathiyar praises a brave mother who, having lost her father and husband in war, sends her only son to battle.

Correct Answer: C [A.P. Ibrahim Kunju]

Notes:

Historian A.P. Ibrahim Kunju noted that trade links between the Malabar coast and Arabia existed even before the Roman Empire.

Correct Answer: B [R.E. Asher]

Notes:

Linguist R.E. Asher praised Sangam literature, saying nothing in world literature surpasses its standard.

Correct Answer: B [Thirumoolar]

Notes:

In Thirumanthiram, Thirumoolar describes the impermanence of the body: when one dies, the whole town gathers, weeps, removes his name and calls him a 'corpse'.

Correct Answer: B [Thirunaavukkarasar]