தமழப பணபடட மரபல வரநதமபல சநதன – ஒர வரலறற நகக: The Concept of Hospitality in Tamil Cultural Tradition: A Historical Perspective

The ancient Tamils were distinguished in culture and civilisation, and their literature shows that they upheld ethical principles in both personal and social life. Hospitality (viruntōmpal) is among the most central of these principles. The Tirukkuṟaḷ (Kural 81) declares that the whole purpose of keeping a household is to cherish guests and to help others. This study examines, from a historical perspective, how Sangam poetry, the Tirukkuṟaḷ, the epics Cilappatikāram and Maṇimēkalai, the Śaiva works Periyapurāṇam and Tirumantiram, other religious traditions and Tamil folk practice portray hospitality. It traces its development from a social obligation within the patron–bard relationship of the Sangam age, to a householder's virtue in the didactic literature, to service of fellow devotees in the bhakti period. It then assesses how urbanisation, nuclear families, lack of time and commercialisation have changed its forms in contemporary society. Using descriptive, comparative and analytical methods, the study finds that although its outward forms have changed, the core values of hospitality — affection, sharing and respect — endure. It argues for transmitting the tradition to younger generations through education and cultural activity.