Culture And Traditions Of Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is a southern state of India which is supremely rich in culture and heritage. Known to be one of the oldest civilisations in the world, the people of Tamil Nadu belong to the prestigious Dravidian Family. Tamilians also, like other South Indians, take much pride in their rooted Tamil culture and make great efforts to protect their 2000 years old history. The state has been ruled by the Cholas, Pandyas and the Pallavas and has been flourishing since. The art and architecture have been their creations which are used and maintained even today.

Here are some of the key elements of Tamil Nadu's culture and traditions:

People of Tamil Nadu: Out of 74 million Tamil people in the world, around 62 million live in Tamil Nadu. Rest of the Tamilians are scattered in different parts of India and the world, mostly in the northeast of Sri Lanka. People who live in the state understand the ethnicity of their culture and how it marks their identity in the world. They are very adherent towards their rituals and traditions like following the caste system, religion and community traits, etc.

Religion: A great amount of relevance is given to a person's religion when it comes to personal identity. Although four-fifths of the population of the state are Hindus, rest of them are divided in Islam, Christianity, and Jainism. Their rituals include deity worship and animisms like tree worship, animal worship and stars and planets worship. Many Hindus are followers of different religious institutions called 'Matha' which are the centres of Monastic studies.

Tamil is the official language of the state. It is a derivative of Brahmi script, and the letters represent sounds, much like the Mandarin language. Not only most of the people in Tamil Nadu speak Tamil, but it is also spoken by many in Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Language: Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu, and is one of the oldest surviving languages in the world. Tamil literature is renowned for its rich literary tradition, which includes classic works such as Thirukkural, Silappathikaram, and Manimekalai.

Festivals: Tamil Nadu is home to several colorful and vibrant festivals, such as Pongal, Diwali, and Navaratri. These festivals are celebrated with great fervor and are an integral part of the region's culture.

Music and Dance: Tamil Nadu is known for its classical dance forms, such as Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, as well as its traditional folk music and dance forms, such as Karagattam and Kavadi Attam.

Art and Architecture: Tamil Nadu is home to several stunning temples and monuments, such as the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur and the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram. These structures are known for their intricate carvings, magnificent architecture, and unique style.

Food: Tamil Nadu cuisine is known for its diversity and unique flavors. Some of the popular dishes include dosas, idlis, vadas, sambar, rasam, and biryani.

Clothing: Men can be seen wearing a Lungi with a shirt and Angavastra. Lungi is a rectangular cotton cloth tied across the waist, and Angavastra is a cloth draped around the shoulders. It can be worn over or without a shirt. Some people may also wear dhoti which is a long form of Lungi, the bottom of which is mostly stuck at the waist. Men also wear Vibhuti on their forehead.

Tamil Nadu women mainly wear Saree which is a five to six yards rectangular cloth made of cotton, silk or any other fabric. The prints, design and style depend on the fabric and community rituals. Kanchipuram Saree is often worn at the time of festivals. Young girls wear half-saree which includes a blouse, long skirt and a dupatta from the waist to the shoulders. Nowadays, salwar kameez and even western wear are preferred.

Folklore and Mythology: Tamil Nadu has a rich tradition of folklore and mythology, with several stories and legends associated with its temples, monuments, and deities.

Overall, Tamil Nadu's culture and traditions are a vibrant and dynamic heritage that continue to evolve and thrive in modern times. Its unique traditions, customs, and rituals are an important part of the region's identity and continue to be celebrated and cherished by people across the world.