Page:Status of Women in Tamilnadu during the Sangam age .pdf/12

10 possessing apt characteristics. 2 in Poruliyal, llampūranar comments that these charms lead to their ultimate union.

The life time of a woman can be broadly divided into two periods. The first period relates to the life she leads with her parents upto her marriage, and the second is that she spends with her husband.

LIFE OF A WOMAN BEFORE THE MARRIAGE

There is ample proof in Sangam literature to the fact that heroism in war had been the chief characteristics in men. Ponmuļiyār, a Sangam poetess sings that a young man should find it his prime duty to destroy the enemy elephants on the battle-field and to return home victoriously.” 1 Another verse in Purand 1ūru refers to the masculine virtue that a man was born to fight on the battle-field.29 It speaks of yet another virtue, that he should surpass on the battle-field.

As contrasted with these male characteristics, a woman was expected to be loving and graceous. The Tamil Community anxiously developed such a womanhood. An Ainkurunūru song bears evidence to this fact. It is a composition by Kapilar, a Brahman of unsullied character. * He has been praised for his morals even by his contem poraries, themselves.26 in this song Kapilar says that the chief of the hilly country prayed to God and begged for a daughter. 2° It is an incontrovertible proof that during the Sangam period people had welcomed baby girls. The Modern Tamils feel it a great burden to bear and bring up female children. "What a contrast, gentleman! How far we have fallen from our ancient ideals!"

THE SPORTS OF YOUNG GIRLS The Sports of young girls in the ancient Tamil society conformed to their tender age and limited capacity. They plucked flowers, plunged in tanks and rivers, rocked in