The UPSC Tamil Optional Paper 2 syllabus includes a section on Novel, Short Story, Drama, and Prose, which covers a wide range of Tamil literary works from ancient to modern times. Below is the detailed syllabus for this section:
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UPSC Tamil Optional Paper 2 – Novel, Short Story, Drama, and Prose Syllabus
1. Novel (நாவல்):
– Ancient and Medieval Tamil Novels:
– Study of selected novels from ancient and medieval Tamil literature.
– Themes, characters, and literary style.
– Modern Tamil Novels:
– Study of selected novels by modern Tamil writers.
– Themes of social reform, nationalism, and humanism.
– Key Authors and Works:
– Kalki Krishnamurthy: “Ponniyin Selvan”, “Sivagamiyin Sabatham”.
– Akilan: “Chithirapavai”, “Vengayin Maindan”.
– Jayakanthan: “Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal”, “Oru Manithan Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam”.
2. Short Story (சிறுகதை):
– Ancient and Medieval Tamil Short Stories:
– Study of selected short stories from ancient and medieval Tamil literature.
– Themes, characters, and literary style.
– Modern Tamil Short Stories:
– Study of selected short stories by modern Tamil writers.
– Themes of social issues, human emotions, and cultural values.
– Key Authors and Works:
– Pudhumaipithan: Selected short stories.
– Jayakanthan: Selected short stories.
– Sundara Ramaswamy: Selected short stories.
3. Drama (நாடகம்):
– Ancient and Medieval Tamil Drama:
– Study of selected dramas from ancient and medieval Tamil literature.
– Themes, characters, and literary style.
– Modern Tamil Drama:
– Study of selected dramas by modern Tamil writers.
– Themes of social reform, historical events, and cultural values.
– Key Authors and Works:
– Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar: Selected dramas.
– T.K. Shanmugam: Selected dramas.
– Koothapiran: Selected dramas.
4. Prose (உரைநடை):
– Ancient and Medieval Tamil Prose:
– Study of selected prose works from ancient and medieval Tamil literature.
– Themes, styles, and literary techniques.
– Modern Tamil Prose:
– Study of selected prose works by modern Tamil writers.
– Themes of social issues, cultural values, and humanism.
– Key Authors and Works:
– Subramania Bharathi: Selected essays and prose works.
– Kalki Krishnamurthy: Selected essays and prose works.
– Jayakanthan: Selected essays and prose works.
5. Critical Analysis of Novel, Short Story, Drama, and Prose:
– Literary Criticism:
– Study of literary criticism in Tamil literature.
– Role of critics and commentators.
– Comparative Study:
– Comparison of Tamil novels, short stories, dramas, and prose with other Indian literary traditions.
– Influence of Tamil literature on other Indian languages and cultures.
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Preparation Tips for Novel, Short Story, Drama, and Prose Section:
1. Read the Original Texts: Focus on reading the original Tamil texts to understand the nuances.
2. Analyze Themes and Literary Style: Pay attention to the central themes, characters, and literary devices.
3. Study Commentaries: Refer to scholarly commentaries and interpretations to gain deeper insights.
4. Practice Answer Writing: Write answers in Tamil, focusing on clear explanations and critical analysis.
5. Compare and Contrast: Highlight the similarities and differences between different periods and styles of Tamil novels, short stories, dramas, and prose.
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This syllabus provides a comprehensive framework for studying Tamil novels, short stories, dramas, and prose for the UPSC exam. Candidates should focus on both the content and the analytical aspects of the texts to excel in this section.
