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Dance in ancient Tamil literature-By Dr. Subashini Pathmananthan Source:Sundayobserver There are five important ancient Tamil classics which are still dominating the Tamil literature world. These are Silapathikaram, Manimekalai, Civaka Cintamani, Valayapathi and Kundalakesi. Ancient Tamils called their dances by the generic term Koothus. Silapathikaram is one of the five great classics of Tamil literature dealing with the ancient culture, literature, and life of the people of the time. It was written in the second century A.D. by Illango Adikal, the prince of the royal lineage who renounced the royal heritage and took to the robes. In Silapathikaram the oldest Tamil epic contained, numerous references to dance, drama, and other literary work. Until the 17th century dance and drama developed together and were collectively called Koothus. The epic Illango Adikal described various types and forms of Koothus and described the nuances of different Koothu forms. ...