Paper-I

Answers must be written in Sindhi (Arabic or Devanagari script).

Section-A

1. (a) Origin and evolution of Sindhi language-views of different scholars.
(b) Significant linguistic features of Sindhi language, including those pertaining to its phonology, morphology and syntax.
(c) Major dialects of the Sindhi language.
(d) Sindhi vocabularly-stages of its growth, including those in the pre-partition and post-partition periods.
(e) Historical study of various Writing Systems (Scripts) of Sindhi.
(f) Changes in the structure of Sindhi language in India, after partition, due to influence of other languages and social conditions.

Section-B

2. Sindhi literature through the ages in context of socio-cultural conditions in the respective periods :
a. Early medieval literature upto 1350 A.D. including folk literature.
b. Late medicval period from 1350 A.D. to 1850 A.D.
c. Renaissance period from 1850 A.D. to 1947 A.D.
d. Modern period from 1947 and onwards.
(Literary genres in Modern Sindhi literature and experiments in poetry, drama, novel, short story, essay, literary criticism, biography, autobiography, memoirs, and travelogues.)

Paper-II

Answers must be written in Sindhi (Arabic of Devanagari script).
This paper will require the first-hand reading of the texts prescribed and will be designed to test the candidates’ critical ability.

Section-A

References to context and critical appreciation of the texts included in this section.
(1) Poetry
a. "Shah Jo Choond Shair" : ed. H.I. Sadarangani, Published by Sahitya Akademi (First 100 pages)
b. "Sachal Jo Choond Kalam" : ed. Kalyan B. Advani Published by Sahitya Akademi (Kafis only)
c. "Sami-a-ja Choond Sloka" : ed. B.H. Nagrani Published by Sahitya Akademi (First 100 pages)
d. "Shair-e-Bewas" : by Kishinchand Bewas
("Saamoondi Sipoon" portion only)
e. "Roshan Chhanvro" : Narayan Shyam
f. "Virhange Khanpoije Sindhi Shair jee Choond" : ed. H.I. Sadarangani Published by Sahitya Akademi
(2) Drama
g. "Behtareen Sindhi Natak" (One-act Plays) : Edited by M. Kamal Published by Gujarat Sindhi Academy.
h. "Kako Kaloomal" (Full-length Play) : by Madan Jumani

Section-B

References to context and critical appreciation of the texts included in this section.
a. ‘Pakheeara Valar Khan Vichhrya’ (Novel) : by Gobind Malhi
b. ‘Sat Deenhan’ (Novel) : by Krishan Khatwani
c. ‘Choond Sindhi Kahanyoon’ (Short Stories) Vol. III. : Edited by Prem Prakash, Published by Sahitya Akademi.
d. ‘Bandhan’ (Short Stories) : Sundari Uttamchandani
e. ‘Behtareen Sindhi Mazmoon’ (Essays) : Edited by Hiro Thakur, published by Gujarat Sindhi Akademi.
f. ‘Sindhi Tanqeed’ (Criticism) : Edited by Harish Vaswani : Published by Sahitya Akademi.
g. ‘Mumhinjee Hayati-a ja Sona Ropa varqa’ (Autobiography) : by Popati Hiranandani
h. "Dr. Choithram Gidwani" (Biography) : by Vishnu Sharma

Paper-I

Answers must be written in Tamil.
Section: A
Part: 1 History of Tamil Language
Major Indian Language Families-The place of Tamil among Indian languages in general and Dravidian in particular-Enumeration and Distributionof Dravidian languages.
The language of Sangam literature-The language of medieval Tamil: Pallava period only-Historical study of Nouns, Verbs, adjectives, adverbs Tense markers and case markers in Tamil.
Borrowing of words from other languages into Tamil-Regional and social dialects-difference between literary and spoken Tamil.
Part: 2 History of Tamil Literature
Tolkappiyam-Sangam Literatue-The division of Akam and puram-The secular characteristics of Sangam Literature-The development of Ethical literature-Silappadikaram and Manimekalai.
Part: 3 Devotional literature (Alwars and Nayanmars) The bridal mysticism in Alwar hymns-Minor literary forms (Tutu, Ula, Parani, Kuravanji)
Social factors for the development of Modern Tamil literature: Novel, Short story and New Poetry-The impact of various political ideologies on modern writings.
Section:B
Part:1 Recent trends in Tamil Studies
Approaches to criticism: Social , psychologiocal, hostorical and moralistic-the use of criticism-the various techniques in literature: Ullurai, Iraicchi, Thonmam (Myth) Otturuvagam (allegory), Angadam (Satire), Meyppadu, Padimam(image), Kuriyeedu (Symbol), Irunmai (ambiguity)-The concep[t of comparative literature-the principle of comparative literature.
Part: 2 Folk literature in Tamil:Ballads, Songs, proverbs and riddles-Sociological study of Tamil folklore. Uses of translation-Translation of Tamil works into other languages-Development of journalism in Tamil.
Part: 3 Cultural Heritage of the Tamils
Concept of Love and War-Concept of Aram-the ethical codes adopted by the ancient Tamils in their warfare-customs, beliefs, rituals, modes of worship in the five Thinais. The cultural changes as revealed in post sangam literature-cultural fusion in the medieval period (Jainism & Buddhism). The development of arts and architecture through the ages (Pallavas, later cholas, and Nayaks). The impact of various political, social, religious and cultural movements on Tamil Society. The role of mass media in the cultural change of contemporary Tamill society.

Paper-II

Answers must be written in Tamil.
The paper will require first hand reading of the Text prescribed and will be designed to test the critical ability of the candidate.
Section-: A
Part: 1 Ancient Literature
(1) Kuruntokai (1-25 poems)
(2) Purananurui (182-200 poems)
(3) Tirukkural Porutpal : Arasiyalum Amaichiyalum (from Iraimatchi to Avaianjamai)
Part : 2 Epic Literature
(1) Silappadikaram: Madhurai Kandam only.
(2) Kambaramayanam: Kumbakarunan Vadhai Padalam
Part 3: Devotional Literature
(1) Tiruvasagam: Neetthal Vinnappam
(2) Tiruppavai: (Full Text)
Section-: B
Modern Literature
Part:1 Poetry
(1) Bharathiar: Kannan Pattu
(2) Bharathidasan: Kudumba Vilakku
(3) Naa. Kamarasan: Karuppu Malarkal
Prose
(1) Mu. Varadharajanar. Aramum Arasiyalum
(2) C N Annadurai: Ye! Thazhntha Tamilagame.
Part : 2 Novel, Short story and Drama
(1) Akilon: Chittirappavai
(2) Jayakanthan: Gurupeedam
(3) Cho: Yarukkum Vetkamillai
Part: 3 Folk Literature
(1) Muthuppattan Kathai Edited by Na. Vanamamalai, (Publication: Madurai Kamaraj University)
(2) Malaiyaruvi, Edited by Ki. Va Jagannathan (Publication: Saraswathi, Mahal, Thanjavur)