Department of Tamil Literature, University of Madras is approved by NAAC. The department of Tamil Literature was formed to construct the cultural history of Tamil based on core Tamil Literature, core Tamil Grammar and the available archaeological sources like inscriptions and Tamil Manuscripts sources in the Tamil Milieu. The mission of the department is to develop the Department into a SAP department recognised by UGC, to expand the Department into a Department of Culture Studies in order to include Tamil, Tamil Theater, Music and Painting Traditions, to create an archive of Tamil Studies particularly rare books, artifacts and to specialise in Tamil Diasporic Studies.