Tamil Literature - Optional Subject for UPSC Civil Service Mains Exam

Tamil Literature is one of the optional subjects offered by the UPSC in the civil services mains exam. It is a reasonably popular literature optional subject taken by IAS aspirants. It also sees a decently high success rate. This article gives you the pros and cons of taking Tamil Literature as your optional paper as well as a comprehensive list of reference books.

Aspirants would find this article very helpful while preparing for the IAS Exam.

“When the rare chance comes, seize it to do the rare deed.” – Thiruvalluvar, Thirukkural

Tamil is one of the oldest languages in the world and is also considered the oldest living language in the world. It is a Dravidian family language and is predominantly spoken by the Tamil population in India and Sri Lanka. Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu state and also the Union Territory of Puducherry. It is also an official language in Singapore and Sri Lanka.

Who Should take Tamil Literature Optional?

Candidates with a good command over the language can take up this subject. Another factor that will ease up the preparation process is a genuine interest in it. It is recommended that if you don’t have any background in Tamil, do not take up this optional.

Pros of taking Tamil Literature Optional

1. The UPSC Syllabus for Tamil Literature is small as compared to many other subjects.
2. You don’t have to update regularly for this optional. The syllabus is pretty much static.
3. There are no current affairs in the literature optionals.
4. In grammar, you can score full marks.
5. If you like Tamil literature, your preparation can be lighter as you have to read many stories, poetry, etc.
6. There is less competition compared to other subjects like history, public administration, geography, etc.

Cons of taking Tamil Literature Optional

1. Unless you have a strong grasp of the language, you cannot take up this optional subject.
2. It has been observed that in the past few years, even the literature optionals have got unexpected questions and questions with an analytical bent.
3. There is a dearth of coaching in literature as compared to other conventional subjects.

Tamil Literature – Optional Book List for UPSC Mains Exam

Suggested reference books for Tamil Literature optional subject is listed below. It is advised that candidates stick to 1 or 2 books and not overburden themselves with too many books.

1. Tamil mozhi varalaru – Su. Sakthivel
2. Tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Mu. Varadarasanar
3. Mozhi nool – Mu. Varadarasanar
4. Mozhi varalaru – Mu. Varadarasanar
5. Tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Thamizannal
6. Naatupura iyal aaivu – Su.Sakthivel
7. Oppilakkiya kotpaadu – Ka.Na.Kailasapathy
8. Tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Madhu Sa. Vimalanandam
9. Ulaga sevviyal mozhigalin varisaiyil tamil – V.C. Kulandaisamy
10. Tamil mozhiyum varalarum – Devira
11. Valluvar padaikkum vaiyathu sorkkam – V.C. Kulandaisamy
12. Tamil thiranaaivum panpaadum – Devira
13. Tamizhar valartha azhagu kalaigal – Mayilai seeni Vengadasamy
14. Tholkappiar kanda samudaayam – Dr. Natesan
15. Ithazhiyal – Su. Sakthivel
16. Idhazhiyal kalai – Dr. Ma.Pa. Gurusamy
17. Ilakkiya Marabu – Mu. Varadarasanar
18. Tamilaga naatupuraviyal – Dr. Sargunavathy
19. Sanga ilakkiyam: ilakkiya valamum vazhviyal aramum – Dr. R. Chandrasekaran
20. Silappathikara Thiranaaivu – Dr. Ma.Po.Sivagnanam
21. Kurunthogai – Puliyur Kesikan urai
22. Silappathigara urai – Gna. Manickavasagan
23. Thirukkural – Parimelazhagar urai
24. Kumbakaruna vadhai padalam – Dr. Durai Rasaram Urai
25. Thiruppavai – C.Subramanian
26. Vanakkam valluva – Erode Tamilanban
27. Thiruvasagam – A. S. Gnanasambandan
28. Kambar kaatum Kumbakarnan – Arunagiri
29. Mozhi iyal – Dr. Srinivasan
30. Tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Muthamizh Selvan
31. Puthiya nokkil tamil ilakkiya varalaru – Tamilanban
32. Tamilar Nagarigamum Panpaadum – Thatchinamoorthy
33. Tamil Kaadhal – V. Subamanickam
34. Silapathikaram Tamizhagam – Sami Chidambaranar
35. Thambiyar iruvar – A. S. Gnanasambandan
36. Silambo silambu – Arasan Santhuvanar

Also, See:

The above details would help candidates prepare for UPSC 2023.

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