Candidate may choose any optional subject from amongst the List of Optional Subjects given below:

Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce and Accountancy, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Geology, History, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, and International Relations, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, Zoology.

TAMIL

PAPER-I

(Answer must be written in Tamil)

Section A

Part 1: History of Tamil Language

Major Indian Language Families—The place of Tamil  among  Indian  Languages  in  general  and Dravidian in particular—Enumeration and Distribution of Dravidian languages.

The language of Sangam Literature—The language of medieval Tamil : Pallava Period only—Historical study of Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs—Tense markers and case markers in Tamil.

Borrowing of words from other languages into Tamil—Regional and social dialects—difference between literary and spoken Tamil.

Part 2 : History of Tamil Literature

Tolkappiyam-Sangam Literature—The division of Akam and Puram—The secular characteristics of Sangam Literature—The development of Ethical literature—Silappadikaram and Manimekalai.

Part  3 : Devotional Literature (Alwars and Nayanamars)

The bridal mysticism in Alwar hymns—Minor literary forms (Tutu, Ula, Parani, Kuravanji).

Social factors for the development of Modern Tamil Literature; Novel, Short Story and New Poetry—The impact of various political ideologies on modern writings.

Section B

Part 1 : Recent trends in Tamil Studies

Approaches to criticism : Social, psychological, historical and moralistic—the use of criticism—the various techniques in literature; Ullurai, Iraicchi, Thonmam (Myth) Otturuvagam (allegory), Angadam (Satire), Meyappadu, Padimam (image), Kuriyeedu (Symbol), Irunmai (Ambiguity)—The concept of comparative literature-the principle of comparative literature.

Part 2 :  Folk literature in Tamil

Ballads,  Songs,  proverbs  and riddles—Sociological study of Tamil folklore.   Uses of translation—Translation of Tamil works into other languages-Development of journalism in Tamil.

Part 3 :  Cultural Heritage of the Tamils

Concept of Love and War—Concept of Aram-the ethical codes adopted by the ancient Tamils in their warfare-customs beliefs, rituals, modes of worship in the five Thinais.

The Cultural changes  as revealed in post sangam literature—cultural fusion in the  medieval period (Janism and Buddhism). The development of arts and architecture through the ages (Pallavas, later Cholas,  and Nayaks). The  impact  of various  political,  social,  religious  and cultural movements  on Tamil  Society.  The role of mass media in the cultural change of contemporary Tamil society.