BEGC-101(EM) 2025-26

In contrast, puram encompasses the external, public, and social realm. It includes themes of war, heroism, kingship, justice, generosity, and moral action. Puram thinais too are linked with landscapes, although their symbolic function differs. They emphasize social responsibilities, public virtue, and collective experiences rather than personal emotion. In Cilappatikaram, the emphasis on royal authority, civic justice, and social ethics exemplifies puram concerns. The trial and execution of Kovalan, the cruelty and ignorance of the Pandya king, and the subsequent destruction of Madurai through Kannagi’s righteous anger are all framed within the moral world of puram. These episodes bring forth the epic’s strong engagement with justice, political failure, and collective suffering.