Iraicchi

Iraicchi (Tamil இறைச்சி iṟaicci, literally, "flesh") is a technique of suggestion used in the classical Tamil poetic tradition, particularly akam poetry.

Iraicchi is closely connected with the extensive descriptions of natural phenomena or objects that characterise classical Tamil poetry. The technique of iraicchi involves using these descriptions to create an implication, or suggestion, which differs from the plain meaning of the words. This implication flows from the conventionalised symbolic meanings which the natural objects described in the poem have. Readers familiar with the conventions of Tamil poetry can, therefore, perceive these meanings "reading between the lines".

Modern commentators disagree on the precise relationship of iraicchi with other literary techniques used in Tamil poetry. Some, such as Zvelebil, Nadarajah and Mariaselvam treat iraicchi as being synonymous with uṭaṉuṟai, which is one of five types of indirect metaphor discussed in the Tolkappiyam, an early text on grammar and poetics. Thus, according to them, iraicchi is an alternative to other literary techniques such as uḷḷuṟai uvamam, and is therefore distinct from them.