Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s25.t2.2

c23.s25.t2.2

The Arachalur musical inscriptions are the earliest epigraphic records of the achievements of ancient Tamils in the fine arts of music and dance. These inscriptions are much earlier than their famous counterparts at Kudumiyamalai and nearby sites.³ The Arachalur inscriptions are also earlier than *Cilappatikāram* (ca. 6th century A.D.) which contains detailed descriptions (amplified in the commentary by Aṭiyārkkunallār) of music and dance in ancient Tamil country.