[TNPSC-2022] 'நீரின்று அமையா யாக்கைக்கு எல்லாம் / உண்டி கொடுத்தோர் உயிர் கொடுத்தோரே' ("One who gives food, will give life") — What is the meaning of this Purananuru line?

Correct Answer: A [Importance of giving food]

Notes:

In Purananuru 18, Kudapulaviyanar tells Pandyan Nedunchezhiyan that those who give food give life itself, stressing the importance of giving food.

2.

[TNPSC-2022] Who wrote 'Thirupallandu' songs that are found in Saiva, Vainava religious literature?

Correct Answer: A [Seinthanar, Periyalvar]

Notes:

In Saivism, Senthanar sang the Thiruppallandu in the 9th Thirumurai; in Vaishnavism, Periyalvar's Thiruppallandu opens the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

3.

[TNPSC-2022] "இன் உயிர் தருதலும் ஆற்றுமோ — முன்னிய தேஎத்து முயன்று செய்பொருளே?" (In uyir tharuthalum aatrumo — munniya theyethu muyandru sei porule? : Can the wealth earned by striving in a distant land give back a dear life?) The above lines are featured in which thinai of Kalithogai?

Correct Answer: D [Palaikali]

Notes:

Separation of the hero to earn wealth is the theme of Palai thinai; these lines dissuading him are from Palaikkali of Kalithogai.

4.

[TNPSC-2022] Who is the author of the book "Thinai Maalai Nootraimbathu"?

Correct Answer: B [Kanimethaviyar]

Notes:

Kanimethaviyar authored Thinaimalai Nootraimbathu and Elathi, both among the Pathinenkilkanakku works.

5.

[TNPSC-2022] In which poem (kaathai) are the following lines taken from?
"Marunguvandu Sirandharppa manippu aadai adhuporthu / Karungayarkan vilitholgi nadanthaai vaali kaveri"

Correct Answer: B [Kaanalvari]

Notes:

These lines praising the Kaveri are among the 'aatruvari' songs sung by Kovalan and Madhavi in the Kaanal Vari of Silappathikaram.

6.

[REPORTER-2022] "இருந்தமிழே உன்னால் இருந்தேன் இமையோர் / விருந்தமிழ்தம் என்றாலும் வேண்டேன்" (O Everything Tamil! I am living by you. Even if the heavenly elixir comes to me, I will not like it.) Which Thoothu book contains these verses?

Correct Answer: B [Tamil Vidu Thoothu]

Notes:

These lines, which value Tamil above even the nectar of the gods, are from Tamil Vidu Thoothu, in which Tamil is sent as messenger to Lord Chokkanathar of Madurai.

7.

[REPORTER-2022] From where did Manimegalai get the Amudhasurabhi?

Correct Answer: B [Manipallavatheevu]

Notes:

Manimekalai obtained the Amudhasurabhi from the Gomukhi pond on the island of Manipallavam, as revealed to her by Deevathilakai.

8.

[REPORTER-2022] Which great work preceding Thirukkural praises the need of water as "Neerindri Amaiyadhu Ulagu"?

Correct Answer: B [Nattrinai]

Notes:

In the first poem of Natrinai, Kapilar sings 'neerindru amaiya ulagam pola'; Valluvar later echoes it as 'neerindru amaiyadhu ulagu'.

9.

[REPORTER-2022] In which place were the poems of Sangam literature categorized by Sangam poets?

Correct Answer: A [Madurai]

Notes:

The last Sangam, patronised by the Pandyas, was held at Madurai, where poets assembled, evaluated and compiled the poems.

10.

[REPORTER-2022] From which text are these lines taken?
"Pulam mikkavarai pulamai therithal / Pulam mikkavarkke pulanaam"

Correct Answer: D [Palamozhi]

Notes:

These lines, saying only the learned can recognise the learning of the learned, are from Munrurai Araiyanar's Palamozhi Nanuru.

11.

[G2-2022] "Magalir madaleruthal thamilar marabandru; vadanatar marabu" (Women riding the madal is not a Tamil custom; it is a northern custom.) Which book says this?

Correct Answer: B [Periya Thirumadal]

Notes:

In Thirumangai Alvar's Periya Thirumadal, the heroine notes that women riding the madal is not the Tamil custom and resolves to follow the northern way.

12.

[G6-Forest-Apprentice-2022] "Naaluku Naal saakindromal / Namakkunaam azhaathathu enno" (We die day by day; why do we not weep for ourselves?) Which epic brings out these philosophical lines?

Correct Answer: C [Kundalakesi]

Notes:

These lines on the impermanence of life come from Kundalakesi, the Buddhist epic by Nathakuthanar.

13.

[G6-Forest-Apprentice-2022] "The passing of the old, the ascendance of the new is the unchanging order of time" (பழையன கழிதலும் புதியன புகுதலும் வழுவல கால வகையி னானே). These lines occur in which book?

Correct Answer: B [Nannul]

Notes:

The closing sutra of Pavanandhi Munivar's Nannul is 'pazhaiyana kazhithalum puthiyana puguthalum vazhuvala kaala vagaiyinaane'.

14.

[EO-2022] What is the message in this Kalithogai verse?
"Yazhuley Pirappinum, Yazhkku Avaitham En Seiyum / Soolungal, Nummagal Numakku Aangu Anaiyale!"
(Music is born in the veena but the veena does not own it. Just like that, your daughter doesn't belong to you.)

Correct Answer: B [The great love of home will be gone when marital life begins]

Notes:

In Palaikkali of Kalithogai, sages tell the foster-mother searching for the eloped daughter that, just as music born of the yazh does not belong to it, a daughter leaves her parental home when she begins married life.

15.

[DPGS-2022] "Ongu thirai viyan parappin / Olimuneer varambaaga" (Ceaselessly waving sea that has three types of water in it....) The three types of water referred to in the above lines are

Correct Answer: A [River water, spring water, rain water]

Notes:

In the opening lines of Madurai Kanchi, 'munneer' (the sea) is so called because it holds three waters: river water, spring water and rain water.

16.

[DPGS-2022] Name the ruler who is praised by 'Kalavali Narpadu'.

Correct Answer: D [Senganan]

Notes:

Poigaiyar's Kalavazhi Narpadu praises the Chola king Senganan's victory over the Chera Kanaikkal Irumporai at the battle of Kazhumalam.

17.

[CAGS-2022] What is the name of the poetic play which contains "Neerarung Kadaluduth....", the "Thamizh Thaai Vaazhthu"?

Correct Answer: A [Manonmaniyam]

Notes:

'Neerarung Kadaluduttha', the Tamil Nadu state song, is from the invocation of Manonmaniyam, the verse drama by P. Sundaram Pillai.

18.

[CAGS-2022] 'Nee Kandanaiyo? Kandaar Ketanaiyo?' (Did you witness it, or did you hear it from a witness?) — Who spoke these words and to whom?

Correct Answer: B [Lady love to minstrel/musician]

Notes:

In Kurunthogai 75 (Padumarathu Mosikeeranar), the heroine asks the paanan who brought news of the hero's return whether he saw it himself or heard it from someone who did.

19.

[CAGS-2022] Kaviripoompattinam being engulfed by the sea during the 2nd century A.D. was mentioned in which book?

Correct Answer: B [Manimekalai]

Notes:

Manimekalai records that Puhar (Kaveripoompattinam) was swallowed by the sea, by the curse of the goddess Manimekala, after the Indra festival was neglected.

20.

[G1-2022] Who said these lines to whom?
"Maarivaram koorin mannuyir illai / Mannuyir ellam mannaal Vendhan"

Correct Answer: A [Manimekala deity to Udhayakumaran]

Notes:

In Manimekalai (Thuyilezhuppiya Kathai), the goddess Manimekala appears before prince Udhayakumaran and warns that if the king's sceptre swerves the rains fail, and when the rains fail no life can survive.

21.

[G1-2022] Choose the correct meaning for the following sentences:
1. Palakudai Neezhalum Thankudai keel Kaanbar
2. Iravaar Irapparkku Ondru Eevar

Correct Answer: C [These two statements eulogize the farmers]

Notes:

Both lines are from the 'Uzhavu' (Farming) chapter of Thirukkural (couplets 1034 and 1035) and extol the greatness of farmers.

22.

[G1-2022] "Nadaakondro! Kadaakondro!! ... avvazhi nallai vazhiya nilanae!"
Whose character plays an important role in the shaping of the world's emancipation (betterment) according to this Purananuru verse?

Correct Answer: B [Men (Aadavar)]

Notes:

In Purananuru 187, Avvaiyar says that whatever the land is like, it is good wherever its men are good ('evvazhi nallavar aadavar avvazhi nallai').

23.

[G1-2022] Who speaks the following lines in Bharathiyar's 'Panchali Sabadham'?
"Tharumathin Vazhvudhanai Soodhu Kavvum; / Tharumam Marubadi Vellum"

Correct Answer: C [Arjunan]

Notes:

In Panchali Sabadham, Arjuna calms the angry Bhima, saying that though deceit may seize dharma's life for a while, dharma will triumph again.

24.

[G1-2021] "The one who gave false judgement (Ethilalan) deeply hurt her, and she, Thirumaa Unni, cut off one of her breasts" ('ஏதிலாளன் கவலை கவற்ற ஒரு முலை அறுத்த திருமா உண்ணி'). These lines, which seem to indicate the story of Kannagi, are found in which of the following Sangam literature texts?

Correct Answer: B [Nattrinai]

Notes:

Natrinai 216 mentions 'Thirumaa Unni' who cut off one breast in grief, a reference often seen as echoing the Kannagi story.

25.

[G1-2021] Which of the following epics describes the significance of the Tamils' music?

Correct Answer: A [Silappathigaram]

Notes:

Silappathikaram, through sections such as Arangetru Kathai, Kanal Vari and Aaychiyar Kuravai, richly describes Tamil music and dance.

26.

[G1-2021] Which characteristic is expressed in this 'Perumpaanatruppadai' verse?
"Mahamurai mahamurai nokki muhanamarndhu aana viruppin thaanin rootti"
(As a mother lovingly watches over her child, he himself stood by and fed them)

Correct Answer: D [Hospitality (Virundhombuthal)]

Notes:

These lines describe the king (Thondaiman Ilanthiraiyan) personally standing and feeding the bards with a mother's loving care, which shows the virtue of hospitality.

27.

[ACF-2023] What is the meaning of 'Aaru' in Aatruppadai literature?

Correct Answer: A [One who guides others]

Notes:

'Aaru' means 'way'; in Aatruppadai a person who has received gifts guides another to the patron by showing him the way.

28.

[ACF-2023] "Vaiyagam panippa valanerbu valaiip"
– Which Pathupattu song begins with this line?
(unfailing clouds climbed to the right...)

Correct Answer: A [Nedunalvaadai]

Notes:

Nedunalvaadai by Nakkeerar opens with 'Vaiyagam panippa valanerbu valaii', describing the cold north-wind season.

29.

[Bursar-2023] Who was the war god mentioned in the Sangam literature?

Correct Answer: C [Murugan]

Notes:

In Sangam literature Murugan (Seyon), the spear-bearing god of the Kurinji land, is praised as the god of war.

30.

[Bursar-2023] Match the following:
Literature – Life style of the people
(a) Silapathikaram – 1. Urimai Sutram
(b) Kalithogai – 2. Branding of slaves
(c) Malaipadukadam – 3. Luxurious equipment in the palace
(d) Nedunalvadai – 4. Food habits of the people

Correct Answer: B [1 2 4 3]

Notes:

Silappathikaram mentions 'urimai sutram', Kalithogai the branding of slaves, Malaipadukadam the people's food habits, and Nedunalvadai the luxurious furnishings of the palace.

31.

[Veterinary Assistant-2023] Didactic old mocking proverbs in Tamil are called ______ in oral literature

Correct Answer: B [Salavadai]

Notes:

'Solavadai' (Salavadai) is the oral-literature form that gives advice in a teasing, mocking manner.

32.

[Fishery Inspector-2023] "Pirappu or anna udan vaiitru ullum
Sirappin paalaal, thaayum manam thiriyum"
What truth does this Purananuru song say?

Online Quiz

Correct Answer: A [Importance of giving food]

Notes:

In Purananuru 18, Kudapulaviyanar tells Pandyan Nedunchezhiyan that those who give food give life itself, stressing the importance of giving food.

Correct Answer: A [Seinthanar, Periyalvar]

Notes:

In Saivism, Senthanar sang the Thiruppallandu in the 9th Thirumurai; in Vaishnavism, Periyalvar's Thiruppallandu opens the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

Correct Answer: D [Palaikali]

Notes:

Separation of the hero to earn wealth is the theme of Palai thinai; these lines dissuading him are from Palaikkali of Kalithogai.

Correct Answer: B [Kanimethaviyar]

Notes:

Kanimethaviyar authored Thinaimalai Nootraimbathu and Elathi, both among the Pathinenkilkanakku works.

Correct Answer: B [Kaanalvari]

Notes:

These lines praising the Kaveri are among the 'aatruvari' songs sung by Kovalan and Madhavi in the Kaanal Vari of Silappathikaram.

Correct Answer: B [Tamil Vidu Thoothu]

Notes:

These lines, which value Tamil above even the nectar of the gods, are from Tamil Vidu Thoothu, in which Tamil is sent as messenger to Lord Chokkanathar of Madurai.

Correct Answer: B [Manipallavatheevu]

Notes:

Manimekalai obtained the Amudhasurabhi from the Gomukhi pond on the island of Manipallavam, as revealed to her by Deevathilakai.

Correct Answer: B [Nattrinai]

Notes:

In the first poem of Natrinai, Kapilar sings 'neerindru amaiya ulagam pola'; Valluvar later echoes it as 'neerindru amaiyadhu ulagu'.

Correct Answer: A [Madurai]

Notes:

The last Sangam, patronised by the Pandyas, was held at Madurai, where poets assembled, evaluated and compiled the poems.

Correct Answer: D [Palamozhi]

Notes:

These lines, saying only the learned can recognise the learning of the learned, are from Munrurai Araiyanar's Palamozhi Nanuru.

Correct Answer: B [Periya Thirumadal]

Notes:

In Thirumangai Alvar's Periya Thirumadal, the heroine notes that women riding the madal is not the Tamil custom and resolves to follow the northern way.

Correct Answer: C [Kundalakesi]

Notes:

These lines on the impermanence of life come from Kundalakesi, the Buddhist epic by Nathakuthanar.

Correct Answer: B [Nannul]

Notes:

The closing sutra of Pavanandhi Munivar's Nannul is 'pazhaiyana kazhithalum puthiyana puguthalum vazhuvala kaala vagaiyinaane'.

Correct Answer: B [The great love of home will be gone when marital life begins]

Notes:

In Palaikkali of Kalithogai, sages tell the foster-mother searching for the eloped daughter that, just as music born of the yazh does not belong to it, a daughter leaves her parental home when she begins married life.

Correct Answer: A [River water, spring water, rain water]

Notes:

In the opening lines of Madurai Kanchi, 'munneer' (the sea) is so called because it holds three waters: river water, spring water and rain water.

Correct Answer: D [Senganan]

Notes:

Poigaiyar's Kalavazhi Narpadu praises the Chola king Senganan's victory over the Chera Kanaikkal Irumporai at the battle of Kazhumalam.

Correct Answer: A [Manonmaniyam]

Notes:

'Neerarung Kadaluduttha', the Tamil Nadu state song, is from the invocation of Manonmaniyam, the verse drama by P. Sundaram Pillai.

Correct Answer: B [Lady love to minstrel/musician]

Notes:

In Kurunthogai 75 (Padumarathu Mosikeeranar), the heroine asks the paanan who brought news of the hero's return whether he saw it himself or heard it from someone who did.

Correct Answer: B [Manimekalai]

Notes:

Manimekalai records that Puhar (Kaveripoompattinam) was swallowed by the sea, by the curse of the goddess Manimekala, after the Indra festival was neglected.

Correct Answer: A [Manimekala deity to Udhayakumaran]

Notes:

In Manimekalai (Thuyilezhuppiya Kathai), the goddess Manimekala appears before prince Udhayakumaran and warns that if the king's sceptre swerves the rains fail, and when the rains fail no life can survive.

Correct Answer: C [These two statements eulogize the farmers]

Notes:

Both lines are from the 'Uzhavu' (Farming) chapter of Thirukkural (couplets 1034 and 1035) and extol the greatness of farmers.

Correct Answer: B [Men (Aadavar)]

Notes:

In Purananuru 187, Avvaiyar says that whatever the land is like, it is good wherever its men are good ('evvazhi nallavar aadavar avvazhi nallai').

Correct Answer: C [Arjunan]

Notes:

In Panchali Sabadham, Arjuna calms the angry Bhima, saying that though deceit may seize dharma's life for a while, dharma will triumph again.

Correct Answer: B [Nattrinai]

Notes:

Natrinai 216 mentions 'Thirumaa Unni' who cut off one breast in grief, a reference often seen as echoing the Kannagi story.

Correct Answer: A [Silappathigaram]

Notes:

Silappathikaram, through sections such as Arangetru Kathai, Kanal Vari and Aaychiyar Kuravai, richly describes Tamil music and dance.

Correct Answer: D [Hospitality (Virundhombuthal)]

Notes:

These lines describe the king (Thondaiman Ilanthiraiyan) personally standing and feeding the bards with a mother's loving care, which shows the virtue of hospitality.

Correct Answer: A [One who guides others]