Dravidian languages, more particularly Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam have a rich legacy of literatures coming down to us since the dawn of Christian era. The antiquity of Tamil Sangam literature, perhaps moves even further backwards to an extent of a few centuries more before the advent of Christian era. Cilappatikaram (C. 2nd Century AD), the first extant epic in Tamil deals with three important genres i.e., iyal (literature), isai (music) and netakam (drama). Pampa (10th Century AD), the great poet of Kannada namely Vikramarjuna Vijaya (popular in the name - Pampabharata) and Adipurana. Later on Nannaya's Mahabharata (11th C AD) in Telugu and Ramacarita (12th C. AD) of Ciraman in Malayalam speak the glory of the ancient literatures available in these Dravidian languages.

To give more impetus to the study and research on these ancient literatures on comparative perspective, the University, as an important part of its Academic programme conducted a three-day National Seminar on Major Genres and Trends in Dravidian Classical Literatures on 8th, 9th and 10th November 2002 at the University Campus. Scholars well-versed in these literatures presented thirty-eight research papers in the nine sessions. There were mutual exchange of views in the long discussions on different topics presented in the sessions. The sessions were highly educative and beneficial to the participants.

This volume comprises thirty five research papers divided into four sections: Telugu 11, Tamil 11, Kannada 7 and Malayalam 6. These papers deal with genres like epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata), Veerasaiva literature, Vachana literature, Satakas, Sandesha kavyas, Cirrilakkiyam, Sangam poetry, Shatpadi, Historical poems, Tevaram, Divya Prabandha, Didactic literature, Pattu, Dwipada, Udaharana Literature, Pada, Champu, Yakshagana, Kathakkali, Manipravala, Prabandhas, Ragale, Gatha, Tiruvachakam and Puranas. The learned scholars in the respective areas have delved deep into the ancient literatures to collect all available information on the genres in these papers.

The Seminar was inaugurated by Dr. H.J. Lakkappa Gowda, Vice-Chancellor, Kannada University. The guests of honour were Prof. E. Sundara Moorthy, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil University, Prof. G.V. Subrahmanyam, Vice-Chancellor, P.S. Telugu University. The Valedictory address was given by renowned Malayalam poet and critic Dr. K. Ayyappa Panicker and Prof. R. Sri Han, Vice-Chancellor presided over the function.

The Editors acknowledge their gratitude to all the scholar-delegates who participated and presented their papers in the Seminar.

The publication of this volume owes much to Prof. R. Sri Hari, Vice-Chancellor and Dr. S. Damodara Naidu, Registrar, Dravidian University for their deep interest and encouragement to the research activities of the University.

Mr. D. Balaganapathi and Dr. B.S. Shivakumar have assisted the Editors in revising the Seminar papers besides proof reading and have taken a keen interest in executing the publication of this volume. The editors are highly indebted to them. The Editors also extend their thanks to Mr. T. Venkata Swamy, Mr. N. Madhava Naidu and Mrs. M.N. Mythili Rajyalakshmi for their endurance in getting the typesetting of papers and to M/s Vijayavani Printers, Chowdepalle for the neat printing of the book.

The Dravidian University, as a part of its Academic Programmes, conducts Seminars on topics focussing especially on comparative studies with special reference to Dravidology. Scholars well versed in contemporary studies representing different languages and disciplines are invited to present their valuable research papers in these seminars. The University believes that this kind of opportunity facilitates the scholars to give more attention to their respective areas of studies and locate the uniqueness, similarities and disparities of different genres on comparative perspective. Budding scholars belonging to other Universities and Research Institutions will be given all encouragement to participate in these seminars actively in order to give them opportunities to become ardent researchers in the coming years. Hope our endeavours to achieve one of the main objectives of the University will not go without fruition.

This volume is a collection of research papers presented in the National Seminar on Major Genres and Trends in Dravidian Literature. In this seminar emphasis was given only to classical literature pertaining to Major Dravidian Languages. It is intended to conduct such seminars as an integral part of Academic activity. In the forthcoming Seminars, topics on Modern Literature with reference to Drama, Novel, Poetry, Short-story, Literary criticism besides Grammar, Linguistics, Folklore, Prosody and Rhetorics, Inscriptional Literature, etc., - all with special reference to Dravidology will be given due place. The University has taken a decision to bring out the proceedings of these seminars hereafter in the book form as a part of University publications at the earliest. I am happy that this volume has been brought out at the shortest period immediately after the Seminar.

On behalf of the University, I heartfully thank all scholar-participants and the organisers for the successful conduct of the Seminar.

**Contents and Sample Pages**