Thiruvalluvar is widely regarded as the father of Tamil literature for his work, Thirukkural, a collection of 1330 couplets on ethics, morality, and statecraft.

Kuruntokai is a Sangam anthology primarily composed of love poems, featuring 400 poems by various poets.

The Mahabharata is an epic poem originally composed in Sanskrit, but also has a significant influence on Tamil literature, particularly through adaptations and retellings.

Ilango Adigal is credited with authoring the epic poem, 'Silappathikaram', which is one of the five great epics of Tamil literature.

Avvaiyar, also known as Avvaiyar the Poet, is renowned for her witty and satirical verses, often addressing social and political issues.

Tholkappiyam is the earliest extant Tamil grammar text, believed to have been composed around the 12th century.

Seethalai Sathanar is the author of the epic poem, 'Manimekalai', which is considered one of the five great epics of Tamil literature.

Thevaram is a collection of devotional hymns composed by the Nayanmars, a group of Tamil saints who lived between the 6th and 9th centuries.

Sekkizhar is the author of 'Periya Puranam', a 12th-century hagiography that narrates the lives of 63 Nayanmars.

Bharathiyar, also known as Subramanya Bharathi, is renowned for his patriotic and revolutionary poems that played a significant role in the Indian independence movement.

Sivagamiyin Sapatham, written by V. Vikraman, is a Tamil novel that explores the theme of untouchability and social injustice.

Jayakanthan is a prominent Tamil writer known for his short stories and novels that often focus on the lives of marginalized communities and social issues.

The New Wave movement in Tamil literature emerged in the 1960s and was characterized by its rejection of traditional literary conventions and its focus on experimentation and innovation.

Ki. Rajanarayanan, also known as Ki. Ra., is a renowned Tamil writer known for his satirical and humorous writings, often dealing with social and political issues.

The Sahitya Akademi Award is a prestigious literary award presented by the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, to recognize outstanding contributions to Indian literature, including Tamil literature.