Ramayana in Ancient Tamil Literature

Even before Kambar wrote the Ramavataram in Tamil in the 12th century AD, there are many ancient references to the story of Ramayana, implying that the story was familiar in the Tamil lands even before the Common Era. References to the story can be found in the 

Sangam literature of Akanaṉūṟu,(dated 400BC)[24] and 

Purananuru (dated 300 BC),[25][26] 

the twin epics of Silappatikaram (dated 2nd Century CE)[27] and 

Manimekalai (cantos 5, 17 and 18),[28][29][30] and the 

Alvar literature of Kulasekhara Alvar, 

Thirumangai Alvar, 

Andal and 

Nammalvar (dated between 5th and 10th Centuries CE).[31] Even the songs of the Nayanmars have references to Ravana and his devotion to Lord Siva

Source/Credits: https://hinducouncil.com.au/new/ramayana-around-the-world/