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RAS question

Tolkappiyam, the earliest extant Tamil grammar, is traditionally attributed to:

Correct answer: (A) Tolkappiyar.

Tolkappiyam, the earliest extant Tamil grammar, is traditionally attributed to Tolkappiyar.

  1. (A)

    Tolkappiyar

  2. (B)

    Paranar

  3. (C)

    Tiruvalluvar

  4. (D)

    Ilango Adigal

Explanation

Tolkappiyam is traditionally attributed to Tolkappiyar, a disciple of sage Agastya. NCERT, Unity in Cultural Diversity supports the attribution directly: in its section on Tamil literature, it places Tamil's literary tradition in the Sangam period and lists Tolkappiyam as a surviving work, describing it as a book of grammar attributed to Tolkappiyar. This is why option A is the answer. The same NCERT passage also separates Tolkappiyam from other major Tamil works, naming Ettu Togai, Pattu Pattu, Silappadikaram, Manimekalai and Thiru Kural as distinct texts with their own associations, so the attribution cannot be shifted to another literary figure.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (B) Paranar is not associated in NCERT, Unity in Cultural Diversity with Tolkappiyam.
  • (C) Tiruvalluvar is linked in the NCERT passage with Thiru Kural, whereas Tolkappiyam is identified there as a grammar attributed to Tolkappiyar.
  • (D) Ilango Adigal is linked in the NCERT passage with Silappadikaram, not with Tolkappiyam.

Concept

This tests Sangam-age Tamil literature and author-text associations, a recurring RAS theme because ancient literary works are used to date and understand early South Indian cultural history.

Source

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