சஙக இலககயததல சறசற ஆககதல வளயடட / Cooking Miniature Meals Game in Sangam Literature

Games play an important role in the daily lives of people. Children games provide the essential ideas that reflect social life. The ancient lives of the Tamil society are closely recorded in Sangam literature. They act as primary sources in revealing the culture, beliefs, social structure and human emotions of the Tamils. So, this study examines the cooking of miniature meals game as found in Sangam texts such as Agananooru, Kurunthogai and Ainkurunooru. The game of building miniature houses in Sangam literature is still played by children today. Nowadays, this game is called cooking miniature meals or building sandcastles. This game has been investigated through field research in the Virudhunagar region of Tamil Nadu. From the classical Sangam period to the present day, this game has been played by the young girls. This game seems that young girls are preparing miniature food. However, the research reveals that it discusses the relationship between man and woman. Besides, the 'cooking miniature meals' game registered in Sangam classics helps to understand the living conditions such as family structure and other cultural values of the society. This study also helps to understand the childhood life and about the games played in the Sangam society. By the study, it can be seen that the game of 'building miniature houses' speaks of love in Tamil society and becomes a fundamental unit for the family structure. So, this study evinces that one can understand how games could shape culture with in a social structure.