Cooking Vessels in Ancient Literature

Abstract

The lives of the Sangam people are recorded in the literature of that time. The elements of the lives of people vary in many ways due to factors such as climate, politics, economy, religion, language, race, etc. The goods which are in circulation, i.e., in use in people's lives, are called "utility vessels." Utility vessels can be classified on the basis of their uses as cooking, eating, storage, or consumables. There are many utility vessels available at home. It is noteworthy that most of the items are related to cooking and food. "Cooking Vessel" refers to the vessels used in the kitchen or the cooking house. From the Sangam period till the 16^th and 17^th centuries, stoves like stone stoves, wood stoves, and husk stoves were mostly used. Mada (Large earthen vessel), Thudupu (Spatula), Talam (Tray), Kaal (Firewood), Naarari (Sieve), Matthu (churning rod), Ammi (grinding stone), Ural (Mortar), Ulakkai (Pestle), Trikai (quern), Sulaku (winnowing fan), etc. are traces of civilization. The mortar is a combination of two things: stone tools that are something to hold in the hand and a base. The use of many utility vessels for cooking can be determined based on their usage. Many of the cooking vessels used by the Sangam people have become scarce today. The vessels used in the kitchen are now lined up in the hall as decorative items. This study researches such utility vessels that are used in the kitchen or cooking houses.