SOUTH INDIAN CULTURE - TAMIL NADU
SOUTH INDIAN CULTURE- TAMIL NADU
The state of
Tamil Nadu makes the southern-most part of India where it is guarded by the
other states of Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and the union territory of
Pondicherry. Beyond its border lies the Indian Ocean in the south and the Bay
of Bengal in the east.
The state shelters historic buildings, multi-religious pilgrimage sites, hill
stations and eight World Heritage sites, while the cultural heritage
continues to develop through its flourishing music, dance, literature, theatre,
cuisine, and other art forms that collectively make up the rich tradition of
the state.
Tamil Nadu is a land most known for its monumental ancient Hindu temples
and classical form of dance Bharata Natyam. It houses cultural features
like Bharatanatyam, Tanjore painting, and Tamil
architecture which continue to be practised in the state.
Dance
The various dance forms prevalent in Tamil Nadu include, Bamber dance,
Bharatanatyam, Bommalattam or puppet show, Chakkai Attam, Devaraattam, Kamandi
or Kaman Pandigai, Kai Silambu Attam, Kazhi Attam or Kolattam, Karagattam,
Kazhai Kothu, Kolattam, Poi Kal attam, Kummi, Mayil Attam or Peacock dance,
Ottan Koothu, Oyilattam, Oyil Kummi, Paampu Atam or Snake Dance, Poikkal
Kuthirai Aattam or Artificial Horse Dance, Puli Aattam or Puliyattam (Tiger
Dance), Shattam dance, Paraiyattam, Theru Koothu, Urummi Attam and Villu Pattu.
Music
The
ancient Tamil music is the historical predecessor of Carnatic music during
the Sangam
period. Music was an integral part of the compositions of the
Tamil Saiva saints during the Hindu revival period
between the 6th and the 10th century.
The greatest concentration of Carnatic musicians is to be found in the
city of Chennai. Various Carnatic music festivals are held throughout
India and abroad, including the Madras Music Season, which has been
considered to be one of the world's largest cultural events.
With respect to modern cine-music, the state has seen prominent film
song composers like Ilaiyaraaja and AR Rahman in the Tamil cinema
industry.
Festivals
Pongal or Tamizhar Thirunaal is a four-day harvest festival that
is widely celebrated throughout the state. Other major Hindu festivals
celebrated with great fervour are Deepavali, Ayudha Poojai, Saraswathi
Poojai, Krishna Jayanthi and Vinayaka Chathurthi. Eid
ul-Fitr, Bakrid, Milad un Nabi, Muharram is celebrated by
Muslims whereas Christmas, Good Friday, Easter are
celebrated by Christians in the state.
Cuisine
The region has a rich cuisine involving both traditional vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes
which include extensive use of rice, legumes and lentils and
blending of various spices for flavour, with vegetables and dairy products
as essential accompaniments and tamarind used as a common souring agent.
A
typical meal called a sappadu consists of rice with other typical Tamil dishes
served on a banana leaf, followed by a dessert, normally Payasam. Coffee and tea are the staple
drinks. Rice is the major staple
food of most of the Tamil people. Normally lunch or dinner is a meal of
steamed rice served with accompanying items that include sambar, poriyal,
rasam, kootu and curd.
Language
Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu while English is
declared an additional official language for communication purposes. Tamil is
spoken as the first language by nearly 90 percent of the state's population
followed by Telugu, Kannada, Urdu and Malayalam.
Literature
Tamil written literature has existed for
over 2000 years, with the earliest period of Tamil literature being that of the
Sangam literature, which is also the oldest Indian literature amongst all the
others. Sangam literature is primarily secular, dealing
with everyday themes in a Tamilakam context. The Sangam literature also deals
with human relationship and emotions. The collection contains 2381 poems
composed by 473 poets.
BY: FAADILA AISHA
1st BSc. PSYCHOLOGY
This blog explains the various cultural forms of my state Tamil Nadu in the fabulous way. Tamil Nadu is known for its literary works and this blog explains it well.
ReplyDeleteVarshaa.R
The rich and vast culture of tamil nadu is said short and precisely. It originated very ancient in time and is antique.
ReplyDeleteG.Abirami
Informative blog. - Archita. T. Menon
ReplyDeleteHamsika
ReplyDeletewow! Reading about our own state is the real pleasure. It was so good to go through the pages of our own state.
It was very interesting and fun to read about our own state. Very nice blog.
ReplyDeleteFaaiqa Aisha