4
சுந்தர காண்டச்
the word, Emattruthal in Tamil means, to disappoint, to deceive, to cheat.
Imaginations and exaggerations are dramatic and poetical features and virtues. In Chapter I of the book, the author states that such imaginations in Sangam poetry were consistent with nature while such imaginations in works like Kamba Ramayanam constitute bare-faced, lies. In fact the author uses the words, Andapulugugal and Akayapulugugal (page 9). It would appear that the author is fond of such expressions because the same is repeated at page 12 as well.
Similarly at page 43 the author points out that - according to Kamban there were Patti Mandapams in Lanka. While stating this, the author says that in these days the patti mandapam brings money to many Tamil speakers. Yet again at page 63 the author states that some persons when they steal other people's property without the owners giving the same to them, they perhaps are following Tholkappiyam and other Sangam poetry, alas!
It is revolting that such expressions and statements should place in an alleged literary criticism, that too, by way of expounding some thoughts culled out from the mine of Sundara Kandam of Ramayanam, by an author who is described as a research scholar, holding a doctorate degree and who retired as Professor, TamilDictionary Department, Pondicherry.
Independent of this type of language and statements, the book also has not been properly planned and does
