What is the Tolkappiyam and the Thirukkural?

Tolkappiyam is an ancient extant Tamil grammar text considered to be the oldest surviving work of Tamil literature

While the Thirukkal is a text in the Tamil language that consists of short couplets of seven words each. These couplets are called Kurals.

For further reading check the following articles:

• Sangam Literature
• Political history of the Sangam Period