Patinenkilkanakku or Eighteen Lesser Texts

The collection of The Eighteen Lesser Texts or Patinenkilkanakku in the literature, is a collection of eighteen poetic works mostly created during the ‘post Sangam period’ (between 100 CE – 500 CE).

The poems of this collection differ from the earlier works of the Eighteen Greater Texts (Patinenkilkanakku), in this most of the books of the texts deal with morals and ethics. In that, “Naladiyar”, was sung by 400 poets, each of the remaining works were sung by a single poet.

The Eighteen Lesser Texts contains the following books:

1. Naladiyarr 2. Nanmanikkatikai 3. Inna Narpatu 4. Iniyavai Narpatu 5. Kar Naapatu 6. Kalavali Narpatu 7. Aintinai Aimpatu 8. Tinaimoli Aimpatu 9. Aintinai Elupatu 10. Tinaimalai Nurru Aimpatu 11. Tirukkural 12. Tirikatukam 13. Acarakkovai 14. Palamoli Nanuru 15. Cirupancamulam 16. Mutumolikkanci 17. Elati 18. Kainnilai