DRAVIDIAN EDUCATION Edu-06 Chapter-1

Introduction

   The people who inhabit the southern part of India, are generally known as Dravidians. They were small in stature and black in colour. They were cultured and peace loving set of people. They had a well structured society according to their won philosophy of life.

Social structure

• They were cultured and peace loving set of people. They had a well structured society according to their won philosophy of life.
• Priests and scholars occupied at the highest position in the social ladder.  They were most honored and respected people in the society.
• Farmers and artisans occupied in the second position in the social ladder. They were considered as the backbone of their society.
• warriors occupied in the third position. Their love of peace and life of harmony was exemplified by this attitude.

Literature

• Art and Literature flourished during this period. Poets, Scholars and women were honored. 
• Their language was PAZHANTHAMIL. Most of the Dravidian languages (Malayalam, Tamil, Tulu, Kannada, Telugu) were originated from Pazhanthamil.
• Ancient Tamil works during Dravidian period are Tolkappiyam, Pathittupathu, Akananooru, Purananooru, Cilappathikaram, Manimekalai etc.
• Anciant malayalam works during Dravidian period are Unni-achi-charitham, Unni-aadi-charitham, Unni-neeli-sandesham and Anandapuravarnanam.

Institutions serving scholastic functions

Prof. Vedamani Manuel classifies the ancient educational institutions under three heads

1. Institution serving Scholastic function (Pallikkoodam, Kidai, Salai)
2. Institution serving Social Function (Manram, Mandapan,Maadam, Arangu)
3. Abstract Social Institutions (Avai, Sabha, sangam)

Kudipallikkodams  

• Kudipallikkodams  were indigenous schools were the small children were taught the three R's. The 3 R's are reading, writing and arithmetic.
• Pupils joined the school at the age of five.
• The teachers were called Aasans or Vaadhyaars.

Kidai

• They were centers of Brahminical learning.
• Vedas were taught there through chanting.

Salai &  Role of Salai in Higher Education

• Salais were important educational institutions established and maintained in the surroundings of temples in southern part of India. 
• The Salai was a boarding School in which the Brahmin Youth got free boarding and lodging and underwent courses of instructions in the Vedas and other branches of Sanskrit learning.
• Salai offers specialized courses such as Philosophy, Grammar, Law, Geology etc.
• Salais aimed at the holistic development of students.
• Strict discipline were maintained in the Salai.
• There were also libraries attached to the temples with good collection of books.
• Kanthalloor Salai in Kerala were known as Nalanda of South.

Main features of Dravidian Education

• It was not well organised.
• Education was closely allied with religion.
• They give importance to their traditional jobs.
• They give importance to Physical Education by promoting Kalari, Kalarippayattu, Wrestling, Sword-fighting etc.