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

Comments

  1. 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.
    Varshaa.R

    ReplyDelete
  2. The rich and vast culture of tamil nadu is said short and precisely. It originated very ancient in time and is antique.
    G.Abirami

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hamsika
    wow! Reading about our own state is the real pleasure. It was so good to go through the pages of our own state.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It was very interesting and fun to read about our own state. Very nice blog.
    Faaiqa Aisha

    ReplyDelete

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