(from "Ten
Songs") A collection of 10 Tamil poetry written in the manner of the
Sangam literature's eight anthologies and thought to have been written later.
The dates of the literature are disputed, although the
general view among scholars is that it was produced in the first centuries of
the common period.
The Pattuppattu songs, like the literature, are divided into
two categories: puram ("outer portion") and akam ("interior
part").
Puram poetry was "public" verse, depicting kings'
exploits, battle, death, and other great feats, while akam poetry was about a
person's inner experience, particularly love and sexuality.
Also see Tamil epics and Tamil language.
