Template:Short description Template:Use Indian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Main other {{#invoke:infobox|infoboxTemplate | bodyclass = vcard
| titleclass = fn org | title = {{#if:Tamils|Tamils|Template:PAGENAMEBASE}}
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| image2 = {{#invoke:InfoboxImage|InfoboxImage |upright=|alt=|image={{#if:|{{{rawimage}}}|Pongal Festival.jpg }} }} | caption2 = Indian Tamils celebrating Pongal
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| header1 = {{#if:Template:Circa (Native Tamil speakers, est.2024)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web
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|Total population}}
| data2 = Template:Circa (Native Tamil speakers, est.2024)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web
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{{#if: | (including those of ancestral descent)}} | label3 = {{#switch: |census = (census) |estimate|est = (est.) }} | data3 = | label4 = {{#switch: |census = (census) |estimate|est = (est.) }} | data4 = | label5 = {{#switch: |census = (census) |estimate|est = (est.) }} | data5 =
| header6 = {{#if:India |Regions with significant populations}} | data7 = | header8 = | data9 =
| label11 = India
| data11 = 69,026,881 (2011)<ref name="India">Template:Cite report</ref>
| label12 = Sri Lanka
| data12 = 3,108,770 (2012)<ref name="SL">Template:Cite report</ref>Template:Refn
| label13 = Malaysia
| data13 = 1,800,000 (2016)<ref>Template:Ethnologue19</ref>
| label14 = United States
| data14 = 238,699+ (2017)<ref name="USA">Template:Cite press release</ref>
| label15 = Canada
| data15 = 237,890 (2021)<ref name="Can">Template:Cite report</ref>Template:Refn
| label16 = Singapore
| data16 = 174,708 (2020)<ref name="Sing">Template:Cite report</ref>Template:Refn
| label17 = Other
| data17 = See Tamil diaspora
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| header61 = {{#if:Tamil |Languages}}
| data62 = Tamil
| header63 = {{#if:Majority:
Hinduism
Minority:
Template:Hlist |Religion}}
| data64 = Majority:
Hinduism
Minority:
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| header65 = {{#if:Dravidians |Related ethnic groups}}
| data66 = {{#if:Dravidians |Dravidians Template:Main other }}
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}}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox ethnic group with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y | caption | flag |flag_alt | flag_border | flag_caption | flag_upright | footnotes | genealogy | group | image |image_alt | image_caption | image_upright | langs | languages | native_name | native_name_lang | pop | pop_embed | pop1 | pop10 | pop11 | pop12 | pop13 | pop14 | pop15 | pop16 | pop17 | pop18 | pop19 | pop2 | pop20 | pop21 | pop22 | pop23 | pop24 | pop25 | pop26 | pop27 | pop28 | pop29 | pop3 | pop30 | pop31 | pop32 | pop33 | pop34 | pop35 | pop36 | pop37 | pop38 | pop39 | pop4 | pop40 | pop41 | pop42 | pop43 | pop44 | pop45 | pop46 | pop47 | pop48 | pop49 | pop5 | pop50 | pop6 | pop7 | pop8 | pop9 | popplace | population | rawimage | ref1 | ref10 | ref11 | ref12 | ref13 | ref14 | ref15 | ref16 | ref17 | ref18 | ref19 | ref2 | ref20 | ref21 | ref22 | ref23 | ref24 | ref25 | ref26 | ref27 | ref28 | ref29 | ref3 | ref30 | ref31 | ref32 | ref33 | ref34 | ref35 | ref36 | ref37 | ref38 | ref39 | ref4 | ref40 | ref41 | ref42 | ref43 | ref44 | ref45 | ref46 | ref47 | ref48 | ref49 | ref5 | ref50 | ref6 | ref7 | ref8 | ref9 | region1 | region10 | region11 | region12 | region13 | region14 | region15 | region16 | region17 | region18 | region19 | region2 | region20 | region21 | region22 | region23 | region24 | region25 | region26 | region27 | region28 | region29 | region3 | region30 | region31 | region32 | region33 | region34 | region35 | region36 | region37 | region38 | region39 | region4 | region40 | region41 | region42 | region43 | region44 | region45 | region46 | region47 | region48 | region49 | region5 | region50 | region6 | region7 | region8 | region9 | regions | related | related_groups | related-c | religions | rels | tablehdr | total | total_ref | total_source | total_year | total1 | total1_ref | total1_source | total1_year | total2 | total2_ref | total2_source | total2_year | total3 | total3_ref | total3_source | total3_year }}Template:Main other Template:Infobox ethnonym Template:Tamils The Tamils (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell), also known as the Tamilar,Template:Refn are a Dravidian ethnolinguistic group who natively speak the Tamil language and trace their ancestry mainly to the southern part of the Indian subcontinent. The Tamil language is one of the longest-surviving classical languages, with over two thousand years of written history, dating back to the Sangam period (between 300 BCE and 300 CE). Tamils constitute about 5.7% of the Indian population and form the majority in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry. They also form significant proportion of the population in Sri Lanka (15.3%), Malaysia (7%) and Singapore (5%). Tamils have migrated world-wide since the 19th century CE and a significant population exists in South Africa, Mauritius, Fiji, as well as other regions such as the Southeast Asia, Middle East, Caribbean and parts of the Western World.
Archaeological evidence from Tamil Nadu indicates a continuous history of human occupation for more than 3,800 years. In the Sangam period, Tamilakam was ruled by the Three Crowned Kings of the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. Smaller Velir kings and chieftains ruled certain territories and maintained relationship with the larger kingdoms. Urbanisation and mercantile activity developed along the coasts during the later Sangam period with the Tamils influencing the regional trade in the Indian Ocean region. Artifacts obtained from excavations indicate the presence of early trade relations with the Romans. The major kingdoms to rule the region later were the Pallavas (3rd–9th century CE), and the Vijayanagara Empire (14th–17th century CE).
The island of Sri Lanka often saw attacks from the Indian mainland with the Cholas establishing their influence across the island and across several areas in Southeast Asia in the 10th century CE. This led to the spread of Tamil influence and contributed to the cultural Indianisation of the region. Scripts brought by Tamil traders like the Grantha and Pallava scripts, induced the development of many Southeast Asian scripts. The Jaffna Kingdom later controlled the Tamil territory in the north of the Sri Lanka from 13th to 17th century CE. European colonization began in the 17th century CE, and continued for two centuries until the middle of the 20th century.
Due to its long history, the Tamil culture has seen multiple influences over the years and have developed diversely. The Tamil visual art consists of a distinct style of architecture, sculpture and other art forms. Tamil sculpture ranges from stone sculptures in temples, to detailed bronze icons. The ancient Tamil country had its own system of music called Tamil Pannisai. Tamil performing arts include the theatre form Koothu, puppetry Bommalattam, classical dance Bharatanatyam, and various other traditional dance forms. Hinduism is the major religion followed by the Tamils and the religious practices include the veneration of various village deities and ancient Tamil gods. A smaller number are also Christians and Muslims, and a small percentage follow Jainism and Buddhism. Tamil cuisine consist of various vegetarian and meat items, usually spiced with locally available spices. Historian Michael Wood called the Tamils the last surviving classical civilization on Earth, because the Tamils have preserved substantial elements of their past regarding belief, culture, music, and literature despite the influence of globalization.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
EtymologyEdit
Tamil is derived from the name of the language.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The people are referred to as Template:Transliteration in Tamil language, which is etymologically linked to the name of the language.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The origin and precise etymology of the word Tamil is unclear with multiple theories attested to it.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Kamil Zvelebil suggests that the term tamiz might have been derived from tam meaning "self" and "-iz" having the connotation of "unfolding sound". Alternatively, he suggests a derivation of tamiz < tam-iz < *tav-iz < *tak-iz, meaning "the proper process (of speaking)".Template:Sfn Franklin Southworth suggests that the name comes from tam-miz > tam-iz meaning "self-speak", or "our own speech".<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
It is unknown whether the term Tamila and its equivalents in Prakrit such as Damela, Damila, or Tamira was first used as a self designation or by outsiders. The Hathigumpha inscription from Udayagiri in Eastern India dated to the second century BCE,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> describes a T[r]amira samghata (Confederacy of Tamil rulers), which was in existence for the previous 113 years.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Epigraphical evidence from the second century BCE mentioning Damela or Dameda from ancient Sri Lanka have been found.Template:Sfn In the Buddhist Jataka texts, there is a mention of a Damila-rattha (Tamil dynasty).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Greek historian Strabo (first century BCE) mentions that the Roman Emperor Augustus received an ambassador from Pandyan of Dramira.<ref name="Dramira">Template:Cite book</ref> An inscription from Amaravati dated to third century CE refers to a Dhamila-vaniya (Tamil trader).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
HistoryEdit
In IndiaEdit
Pre-historic period (before 4th century BCE)Edit
Archaeological evidence suggests the region was first inhabited by hominids over 400 millennia ago.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Artifacts recovered in Adichanallur by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) indicate megalithic urn burials, dating from back to 1500 BCE.,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Sfn which are also described in early Tamil literature.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Neolithic celts with the Indus script dated between 15th and 20th century BCE indicate the use of early Harappan language.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Excavations at Keezhadi have revealed a large urban settlement, with the earliest artefact dated to 580 BCE, during the time of urbanization in the Indo-Gangetic plain.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Further epigraphical inscriptions found at Adichanallur use Tamil Brahmi, a rudimentary script dated to 5th century BCE.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Potsherds uncovered from Keeladi indicate a script which might be a transition between the Indus Valley script and Tamil Brahmi script used later.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Sangam period (3rd century BCE–3rd century CE)Edit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:Further
The Sangam period lasted from 3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE with the main source of history during the period coming from the various Sangam literature.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Ancient Tamilakam was ruled by a triumvirate of monarchical states, Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These kings are referred to as Vāṉpukaḻ Mūvar (Three glorified by heaven) in the Sangam literature.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Cheras controlled the western part of Tamilkam, the Pandyas controlled the south, and the Cholas had their base in the Kaveri delta.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn They are mentioned in the inscriptions from the Mauryan Empire dated to third century BCE.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Kalinga inscriptions from the second century BCE refers to a confederacy of the Tamil kingdoms.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The three kings called Vendhar ruled over several hill tribes headed by the Velir chiefs and settlements headed by clan chiefs called Kizhar.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The rulers of smaller territories were referred to as Kurunilamannar, with Purananuru mentioning the names of many such chieftains.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The Sangam period rulers patronized multiple religions including vedic religion, Buddhism and Jainism and sponsored some of the earliest Tamil literature with the oldest surviving work being Tolkāppiyam, a book of Tamil grammar.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Purananuru describes the public life and various unique cultural practices that existed during the period. The text talks about the Vedic Sacrifices performed by the kings as described in the Vedas and the rituals performed for the dead.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Agriculture was an important occupation during the period, and there is evidence that networks of irrigation channels were built as early as the 3rd century BCE. The Sangam literature describe fertile lands and people organised into various occupational groups. The governance of the land was through hereditary monarchies, although the sphere of the state's activities and the extent of the ruler's powers were limited through the adherence to an established order.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>
The kingdoms had significant diplomatic and trade contacts with other kingdoms to the north and with the Romans. Roman coins and other epigraphical evidence from South India and potsherds with Tamil writing found in excavations along the Red Sea indicate the presence of Roman commerce with the ancient Tamilakam.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Much of the commerce from the Romans and Han China were facilitated via seaports including Muziris and Korkai with spices being the most prized goods along with pearls and silk.Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> There is evidence of emissaries sent to the Roman Emperor Augustus by the Pandya kings.<ref name="Dramira"/> An anonymous Greek traveler's account from first century CE, Periplus Maris Erytraei, describes the ports of the Pandya and Chera kingdoms in Damirica and their commercial activity in detail. It also describes that the chief exports of the ancient Tamils were pepper, malabathrum, pearls, ivory, silk, spikenard, diamonds, sapphires, and tortoiseshell.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Medieval era (4th–13th century CE)Edit
From the fourth century CE, the region was ruled by the Kalabhras, warriors belonging to the Vellalar community, who were once feudatories of the three ancient Tamil kingdoms.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Kalabhra era is referred to as the "dark period" of Tamil history, and information about it is generally inferred from any mentions in the literature and inscriptions that are dated many centuries after their era ended.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Around the seventh century CE, the Kalabhras were overthrown by the Pandyas and Cholas.Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Though they existed previously, the period saw the rise of the Pallavas in the sixth century CE under Mahendravarman I, who ruled parts of South India with Kanchipuram as their capital.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The Pallavas were noted for their patronage of architecture.<ref name="UNC"/> Throughout their reign, the Pallavas remained in constant conflict with the Cholas, the Pandyas and other kingdoms of Chalukyas of Badami and the Rashtrakutas.Template:Sfn The Pandyas were revived by Kadungon towards the end of the sixth century CE and with the Cholas in obscurity in Uraiyur, the Tamil country was divided between the Pallavas and the Pandyas.<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> The area west of the Western Ghats became increasingly distinct from the eastern parts.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> A new language Malayalam evolved from Tamil in the region and the socio-cultural transformation was altered further by the migration of Sanskrit-speaking Indo-Aryans from Northern India in the eighth century CE.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The Cholas were revived in the ninth century CE by Vijayalaya Chola and the last Pallavas ruler Aparajitavarman was defeated by the Chola prince Aditya I.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> After the defeat of the Pallavas, the Cholas became the dominant kingdom with the capital at Thanjavur. The Chola influence expanded subsequently with Rajaraja I conquering the entire Southern India and parts of present-day Sri Lanka and Maldives, and increased Chola influence across the Indian Ocean in the eleventh century CE.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Rajaraja brought in administrative reforms including the reorganisation of Tamil country into individual administrative units.Template:Sfn Under his son Rajendra Chola I, the Chola empire reached its zenith and stretched as far as Bengal in the north and across the Indian Ocean.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He defeated the Eastern Chalukyas and the Chola navy invaded the Srivijaya Empire in South East Asia.<ref name="History">Template:Cite book</ref> The Cholas had trade links with the Chinese Song Dynasty and across Southeast Asia.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Cholas built many temples with the most notable being the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur.<ref name="Great Living Chola Temples">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The latter half of the eleventh century saw the union of Chola and Vengi kingdoms under Kulottunga I.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Cholas repulsed attacks from the Western Chalukyas and maintained its influence over the various kingdoms of Southeast Asia.Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> According to historian Nilakanta Sastri, Kulottunga avoided unnecessary wars and had a long and prosperous reign characterized by unparalleled success that laid the foundations of the empire for the next 150 years.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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The eventual decline of Chola power began towards the end of Kulottunga III's reign in the thirteenth century CE.<ref name="History"/> The Pandyas again reigned supreme under Maravarman Sundara I and defeated the Cholas under Rajaraja III.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Though the Cholas were revived briefly with the aid of Hoysalas, civil war between Rajaraja and Rajendra III weakened them further.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> With the Hoysalas later siding with the Pandyas, the Pandyas consolidated control over the region.Template:Sfn The Pandya empire reached its zenith in the thirteenth century CE under Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I after he defeated the Hoysalas, the Kakatiyas and captured parts of Sri Lanka. The Pandyas ruled from their capital of Madurai and expanded trade links with other maritime empires.Template:Sfn Venetian explorer Marco Polo mentioned the Pandyas as the richest empire in existence.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Pandyas also built a number of temples including the Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai.<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> In the fourteenth century CE, the Pandyan empire was engulfed in a civil war and also faced repeated invasions by the Delhi Sultanate.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 1335, the Pandyan capital was conquered by Jalaluddin Ahsan Khan and the short-lived Madurai Sultanate was established.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Vijayanagar and Nayak period (14th–17th century CE)Edit
The Vijayanagara kingdom was founded in Template:CE.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Vijayanagara empire eventually conquered the entire Tamil country by Template:Circa and ruled for almost two centuries.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In the sixteenth century, Vijaynagara king Krishnadeva Raya was forced to intervene in the conflict between their vassals, the Cholas and the Pandyas.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Nayak governor under Raya briefly took control of Madurai before it was restored to the empire.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Vijayanagara empire was defeated in the Battle of Talikota in 1565 by a confederacy of Deccan sultanates.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Nayaks, who were the military governors in the Vijaynagara empire, took control of the region amongst whom the Nayaks of Madurai and Nayaks of Thanjavur were the most prominent.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> They introduced the palayakkararar system and re-constructed some of the temples in Tamil Nadu including the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Later conflicts and European colonization (17th to 20th century CE)Edit
In the 18th century, the Mughal empire administered the region through the Nawab of the Carnatic with his seat at Arcot, who defeated the Madurai Nayaks.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Marathas attacked several times and defeated the Nawab after the Siege of Trichinopoly (1751-1752).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> This led to a short-lived Thanjavur Maratha kingdom.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Europeans started to establish trade centres from the 16th century along the eastern coast. The Portuguese arrived in 1522 followed by the Dutch and the Danes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1639, the British East India Company obtained a grant for land from the Vijayanager emperor and the French established trading posts at Pondichéry in 1693.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> After several conflicts between the British and the French, the British established themselves as the major power in the eighteenth century CE.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The British regained control of Madras in 1749 through the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle and resisted a French siege attempt in 1759.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The British East India Company demanded tax collection rights, which led to constant conflicts with the local Palaiyakkarars and resulted in the Polygar Wars. Puli Thevar was one of the earliest opponents, joined later by Rani Velu Nachiyar and Kattabomman in the first series of Polygar wars.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The Maruthu brothers along with Oomaithurai, formed a coalition with Dheeran Chinnamalai and Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, which fought the British in the Second Polygar War.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In the later 18th century, the Mysore kingdom captured parts of the region and engaged in constant fighting with the British which culminated in the four Anglo-Mysore Wars.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> By the late eighteenth century CE, the British had conquered most of the region and established the Madras Presidency with Madras as the capital.<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> On 10 July 1806, the Vellore mutiny, which was the first instance of a large-scale mutiny by Indian sepoys against the British East India Company, took place in Vellore Fort.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the British Parliament passed the Government of India Act 1858, which transferred the governance of India from the East India Company to the British crown, forming the British Raj.<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Failure of the summer monsoons and administrative shortcomings of the Ryotwari system resulted in two severe famines in the Madras Presidency, the Great Famine of 1876–78 and the Indian famine of 1896–97 which killed millions and the migration of many Tamils as bonded laborers to other British countries eventually forming the present Tamil diaspora.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Indian Independence movement gathered momentum in the early 20th century with the formation of the Indian National Congress, which was based on an idea propagated by the members of the Theosophical Society movement after a Theosophical convention held in Madras in December 1884.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Various Tamils were contributors to the Independence movement including V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, Subramaniya Siva and Bharatiyar.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Tamils formed a significant percentage of the members of the Indian National Army (INA), founded by Subhas Chandra Bose.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Post Indian Independence (1947–present)Edit
After the Independence of India in 1947, the Madras Presidency became Madras state, comprising present-day Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. The state was further re-organised as a state for Tamils when the boundaries were redrawn linguistically in 1956 into the current shape.<ref>Template:Cite act</ref><ref>Template:Cite act</ref> On 14 January 1969, Madras state was renamed Tamil Nadu, meaning "Tamil country".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 1965, Tamils agitated against the imposition of Hindi and in support of continuing English as a medium of communication which eventually led to English being retained as an official language of India alongside Hindi.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After experiencing fluctuations in the decades immediately after Indian independence, the Human Development Index of the Tamils have consistently improved due to reform-oriented economic policies and in the 2000s, the region has become one of the most urbanized states in the country.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref><ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
In Sri LankaEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}
Pre-Anuradhapura period (before fifth century CE)Edit
There are various theories from scholars over the presence of Tamil people in Sri Lanka. Historian K. Indrapala states that Tamil replaced a previous language of an indigenous mesolithic population, who later became the Eelam Tamils and the cultural diffusion happened well before the arrival of Sinhalese people in Sri Lanka.Template:Sfn Eelam Tamils consider themselves lineal descendants of the aboriginal Naga and Yaksha people of Sri Lanka. A cobra totem known as Nakam in the Tamil language is still part of the Tamil tradition in Sri Lanka.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Remains of settlements and megalithic burial sites of people culturally similar to those of present-day Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu in modern India have been excavated at Pomparippu on the west coast and in Kathiraveli on the east coast of the island. These epigraphical evidence have been dated to a period between fifth century BCE and second century CE.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Cultural similarities in burial practices in South India and Sri Lanka were dated by archeologists to the beginning of the Iron Age in the region around twelfth century BCE. There were specific migration routes that extended from South India to the island. These people moved further to the South of the island, and intermingled with the existent people.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Anuradhapura period (4th century BCE to 10th century CE)Edit
Black and red ware potsherds found in Sri Lanka from the early reign of Anuradhapura kingdom, indicate a similar cultural connection with the people of South India.<ref name="Tambiah">Template:Cite book</ref> The Tamil Brahmi inscriptions on them indicate Tamil clan names such as Parumakal, Ay, Vel, Utiyan, Ticaiyan, Cuda and Naka, which points to the presence of Tamils in the region.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Excavations in Poonakari in the north of the island have yielded several inscriptions including the mention of vela, a name related to velirs of the ancient Tamil country.<ref name="Mahadevan"/> Epigraphical evidence of people identified as Damelas (the Prakrit word for Tamil people) from the second century CE have been found in Anuradhapura, the capital city of the northern Rajarata region.Template:Sfn
Historical records mention that the three Tamil kingdoms were involved in the island's affairs from second century BCE.Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Chola king Ellalan captured the Anuradhapura Kingdom from 205 BCE to 161 BCE.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Tamil soldiers from Tamilakam came to Anuradhapura in large numbers in the seventh century CE with the local chiefs and kings relying on them.<ref name="Spencer">Template:Cite journal</ref> In the eighth century CE, various Tamil villages collectively known as Demel-kaballa (Tamil allotment), Demelat-valademin (Tamil villages), and Demel-gam-bim (Tamil villages and lands) were established.Template:Sfn In the ninth and tenth centuries CE, Pandya and Chola incursions started in the island which culminated with the Chola annexation of the island.<ref name="Spencer"/>
Polonnaruwa and Jaffna kingdom (11th–15th century CE)Edit
The Chola influence lasted until the latter half of the eleventh century CE and the Chola decline was followed by the restoration of the Polonnaruwa monarchy.<ref name="Spencer"/>Template:Sfn In 1215, following Pandya invasions, the Tamil-dominant Aryacakravarti dynasty established the Jaffna Kingdom on the Jaffna peninsula and in parts of northern Sri Lanka.Template:Sfn In the fourteenth century CE, the Aryacakaravarthi expansion into the south of the island was halted by Alagakkonara, who belonged to a feudal family from Kanchipuram that migrated to Sri Lanka in the previous century and converted to Buddhism.Template:Sfn He served as the chief minister of the Sinhalese king Parakramabahu V (1344–59 CE) and his descendant Vira Alakeshwara briefly became the king later before the Ming admiral Zheng He overthrew him in 1409 CE after which the influence of his family declined.Template:Sfn The caste structure of the Sinhalese also accommodated Hindu immigrants from South India, which led to the emergence of new Sinhalese caste groups such as the Radala, the Salagama, the Durava and the Karava.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
Later conflicts and European colonization (16th–20th century CE)Edit
The Aryachakaravarthi dynasty continued to rule over large parts of northeast Sri Lanka until arrival of the Europeans on the island in the sixteenth century CE. Portuguese traders reached Sri Lanka by 1505 CE and the Jaffna kingdom came to the attention of Portuguese due to its presence as a logistical and strategic base for accessing the interior ruled by the Kandyan kingdom.<ref name="Abhay">Template:Cite book</ref> King Cankili I resisted contacts with the Portuguese and repelled Parava Catholics who were brought from India to the Mannar Island to take over the lucrative pearl fisheries from the Jaffna kings.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The wrested Mannar during the first invasion in 1560 and killed king Puvirasa Pandaram during the second expedition in 1591.Template:Sfn After the conflicts, the Portuguese secured the kingdom in 1619 from the unpopular Cankili II, who was helped by the Thanjavur Nayaks.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> English sailor Robert Knox arrived in the island in 1669 and described the Tamil settlements in the An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon published in 1681.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The Dutch captured the island later and ruled for more than a century. Following the 1795 invasion of the British and the Kandyan Wars, the island came to the control of the British in the early nineteenth century CE.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Upon arrival in June 1799, Hugh Cleghorn, the island's first British colonial secretary, wrote to the British government: "Two different nations from a very ancient period have divided between them the possession of the island. First the Sinhalese, inhabiting the interior in its Southern and Western parts, and secondly the Tamils who possess the Northern and Eastern districts. These two nations differ entirely in their religion, language, and manners."<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Irrespective of the ethnic differences, the British imposed a unitary state structure in British Ceylon for better administration.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> During the British colonial rule, Tamils held higher positions in the government and were favoured by the British for their qualification in English education. In the northern highlands, the lands of the Sinhalese were seized by the British and Indian Tamils were settled there as plantation workers.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Tamils who migrated in the nineteenth century CE to work on tea plantations were later termed as the Indian Tamils.Template:Sfn
Post Sri Lankan independence (1948–present)Edit
Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948 and after the colonial rule ended, ethnic tension rose between the Sinhalese, who constituted a majority, and the Tamils.<ref name="SLT"/> In 1956, the Sinhala Only Act designated Sinhala as the only official language of Sri Lanka, which forced many Tamils to resign as civil servants because they were not fluent in the language. The Tamils saw the act as linguistic, cultural and economic discrimination against them.<ref name="Tambiah"/> Anti-Tamil pogroms in 1956 and 1958 resulted in deaths of many Tamils and further escalated the conflict.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Nogdsac">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> More than a million Indian Tamil plantation workers were made stateless after Sri Lanka refused citizenship to them. In 1964, the Sri Lankan and Indian governments entered into an agreement, based on which, about 300,000 would be granted Sri Lankan citizenship and about 975,000 Tamils would be repatriated to India over a period of fifteen years.<ref name="SLT"/>Template:Sfn
A new Constitution enacted in the 1970s further discriminated against the Tamils and various state-sponsored schemes led Sinhalese settlers into Tamil populated areas. The 1977 anti-Tamil pogrom was followed by a crackdown against the Tamils, which curtailed their rights. Following the declaration of state of emergency in 1981, state-backed Sinhalese mobs turned on Tamils, which led many Tamils to leave the country as refugees resulting in an exodus more than half a million to India and other countries.<ref name="SLT"/> By the 1970s, initial non-violent political struggle for an independent Tamil state in the north and east of Sri Lanka, developed into a violent secessionist insurgency.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> This led to the bloody Sri Lankan Civil War for more than three decades.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The conflict resulted in the deaths of at least 100,000 Tamils in the island and led to the flight of over 800,000 refugees.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The war ended after the Sri Lankan military offensive in 2009.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Since the end of the civil war, the Sri Lankan state has been subject to much global criticism for violating human rights as a result of committing war crimes through bombing civilian targets, usage of heavy weaponry, the abduction and massacres of Sri Lankan Tamils and sexual violence.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Geographic distributionEdit
IndiaEdit
As per the 2011 Census, there were 69 million Tamil speakers, constituting about 5.7% of the Indian population. Tamils formed the majority in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu (63.8 million) and the union territory of Puducherry (1.1 million).<ref name="India"/> There were also significant Tamil population in other states of India such as Karnataka (2.1 million), Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (0.7 million), Maharashtra (0.5 million), and Kerala (0.5 million).<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
Sri LankaEdit
Sri Lankan Tamils, also known as Eelam Tamils, are classified into two ethnicities by the Sri Lankan government, namely Sri Lankan Tamils, and Indian Origin Tamils who accounted for 11.2%, and 4.1% respectively of the country's population in 2011.<ref name="SL1"/> The Sri Lankan Tamils (or Ceylon Tamils) are the descendants of the Tamils of the old Jaffna Kingdom and east coast chieftainships called Vannimais. The Indian Tamils (or Hill Country Tamils) are descendants of laborers who migrated from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka in the 19th century to work on tea plantations.Template:Sfn Most Sri Lankan Tamils live in the Northern and Eastern provinces and around Colombo, whereas most Indian Tamils live in the central highlands.<ref name="SLD">Template:Cite report</ref> Historically, both the Tamil ethnic groups have identified themselves as separate communities, although there has been a greater sense of unity since the 1980s.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
There also exists a significant Tamil Muslim population in Sri Lanka. However, they are listed as a separate entity under the Moors by the government.Template:Sfn<ref name="SLD"/> However, genealogical evidence suggests that most of the Sri Lankan Moor community are of Tamil ethnicity, and that the majority of their ancestors were also Tamils who had lived in the country for generations, and had converted to Islam from other faiths.<ref name="SM1"/><ref name="SM2"/>
Tamil diasporaEdit
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Significant emigration from Indian subcontinent began in the late 18th century, when the Tamils went as indentured labourers and established businesses in other territories under the control of the British empire such as Malaya, Burma, South Africa, Fiji, Mauritius, and the Caribbean.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The descendants of these Tamils continued to live in these countries, and practice their original culture, tradition and language. They form significant proportion of the population in Malaysia (7%) and Singapore (5%).<ref name="Sing"/> A significant population also exists in South Africa, Mauritius, Fiji, as well as other regions such as the Southeast Asia and the Caribbean.<ref name="Dias">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, subsequent generations might not speak the language as a mother tongue, but instead as a second or third language.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
There is a small Tamil community in Pakistan, notably settled since the partition in 1947.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Since the 20th century, Tamils have migrated to other regions such as Middle East and the Western World for employment.<ref name="Dias"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A large emigration of Sri Lankan Tamils began in the 1980s, as they sought to escape the ethnic conflict there.<ref name="SLT">Template:Cite journal</ref> The largest concentration of Eelam Tamils outside Sri Lanka is found in Canada.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
CultureEdit
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LanguageEdit
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Tamil people speak Tamil, which belongs to the Dravidian languages and is one of the oldest classical languages.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite report</ref><ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> According to epigraphist Iravatham Mahadevan, the rudimentary Tamil Brahmi script originated in South India in the 3rd century BCE.<ref name="Mahadevan">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Though the old Tamil preserved features of Proto-Dravidian language,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> modern-day spoken Tamil uses loanwords from other languages such as English.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The existent Tamil grammar is largely based on the grammar book Naṉṉūl which incorporates facets from the old Tamil literary work Tolkāppiyam.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Since the later part of the 19th century, Tamils made the language as a key part of the Tamil identity and the language is personified in the form of Tamil̲taay ("Tamil mother").<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Various varieties of Tamil is spoken by the Tamils across regions such as Madras Bashai, Kongu Tamil, Madurai Tamil, Nellai Tamil, Kumari Tamil and various Sri Lankan Tamil dialects such as Batticaloa Tamil, Jaffna Tamil and Negombo Tamil in Sri Lanka.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
LiteratureEdit
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Tamil literature is of considerable antiquity compared to the contemporary literature from other Indian languages and represents one of the oldest bodies of literature in South Asia.<ref name="Old">Template:Cite report</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The earliest epigraphic records have been dated to around the 3rd century BCE.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Early Tamil literature was composed in three successive poetic assemblies known as Tamil Sangams, the earliest of which destroyed by floods.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Sfn The Sangam literature was broadly classified into three divisions: iyal (poetry), isai (music) and nadagam (drama).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The early Tamil literature was compiled and classified into two categories: Patinenmelkanakku ("Eighteen Greater Texts") consisting of the Ettuttokai ("Eight Anthologies") and the Pattuppattu ("Ten Idylls"), and the Patinenkilkanakku ("Eighteen Lesser Texts").<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="IGNOU">Template:Cite report</ref>
The Tamil literature that followed in the next 300 years after the Sangam period is generally called the "post-Sangam" literature which included the Five Great Epics.Template:Sfn<ref name="IGNOU"/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Another book of the post Sangam era is the Tirukkural, a book on ethics, by Thiruvalluvar.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In the beginning of the middle age, Vaishnava and Saiva literature became prominent following the Bhakti movement in 7th century CE with hymns composed by Alwars and Nayanmars.<ref name="Bhakti">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Notable work from the post-Bhakti period included Ramavataram by Kambar in 12th century CE and Tiruppugal by Arunagirinathar in 15th century CE.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 1578, the Portuguese published a Tamil book in old Tamil script named Thambiraan Vanakkam, thus making Tamil the first Indian language to be printed and published.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Tamil Lexicon, published by the University of Madras between 1924 and 1939, was amongst the first comprehensive dictionaries published in the language.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The 19th century gave rise to Tamil Renaissance and writings and poems by authors such as Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai, U.V.Swaminatha Iyer, Damodaram Pillai, V. Kanakasabhai and others.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During the Indian Independence Movement, many Tamil poets and writers sought to provoke national spirit, notably Bharathiar and Bharathidasan.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Art and architectureEdit
According to Tamil literature, there are 64 art forms called aayakalaigal.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The art is classified into two broad categories: kavin kalaigal (beautiful art forms) which include architecture, sculpture, painting and poetry and nun kalaigal (fine art forms) which include dance, music and drama.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
ArchitectureEdit
Dravidian architecture is the distinct style of architecture of the Tamils. The large gopurams, which are monumental ornate towers at the entrance of the temples form a prominent feature of Hindu temples of the Dravidian style.<ref name="Hindu">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Temple">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Gopuram">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> They are topped by kalasams (finials) and function as gateways through the walls that surround the temple complex.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> There are a number of early rock-cut cave-temples established by the various Tamil kingdoms.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, built by the Pallavas in the 7th and 8th centuries has more than forty rock-cut temples, monoliths and rock reliefs.<ref name="UNC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Pallavas, who built the group of monuments in Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram, were one of the earliest patronisers of the Dravidian architectural style.<ref name="UNC"/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> These gateways became regular features in the Cholas and the Pandya architecture, was later expanded by the Vijayanagara and the Nayaks and spread to other parts such as Sri Lanka.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> There are more than 34,000 temples in Tamil Nadu built across various periods some of which are several centuries old.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The influence of Tamil culture had led to the construction of various temples outside India by the Tamil dispora.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Mugal influence in medieval times and the British influence later gave rise to a blend of Hindu, Islamic and Gothic revival styles, resulting in the distinct Indo-Saracenic architecture with several institutions during the British era following the style.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite report</ref> By the early 20th century, the art deco made its entry upon in the urban landscape.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the later part of the century, the architecture witnessed a rise in the modern concrete buildings.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Sculpture and paintingsEdit
Tamil sculpture ranges from stone sculptures in temples, to detailed bronze icons.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The bronze statues of the Cholas are considered to be one of the greatest contributions of Tamil art.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Models made of a special mixture of beeswax and sal tree resin were encased in clay and fired to melt the wax leaving a hollow mould, which would then be filled with molten metal and cooled to produce bronze statues.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Tamil paintings are usually centered around natural, religious or aesthetic themes.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Sittanavasal is a rock-cut monastery and temple attributed to Pandyas and Pallavas which consist of frescoes and murals from the 7th century CE, painted with vegetable and mineral dyes in over a thin wet surface of lime plaster.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Similar murals are found in temple walls, the most notable examples are the murals on the Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam and the Brihadeeswarar temple at Thanjavur.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> One of the major forms of Tamil painting is Thanjavur painting, which originated in the 16th century CE where a base made of cloth and coated with zinc oxide is painted using dyes and then decorated with semi-precious stones, as well as silver or gold threads.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
MusicEdit
The ancient Tamil country had its own system of music called Tamil Pannisai.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Sangam literature such as the Silappatikaram from 2nd century CE describes music notes and instruments.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> A Pallava inscription dated to the 7th century CE has one of the earliest surviving examples of Indian music in notation.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Pallava inscriptions from the period describe the playing of string instrument veena as a form of exercise for the fingers and the practice of singing musical hymns (Thirupadigam) in temples. From the 9th century CE, Shaivite hymns Thevaram and Vaishnavite hymns (Tiruvaymoli) were sung along with playing of musical instruments. Carnatic music originated later which included rhythmic and structured music by composers such Thyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Shyama Shastri.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> Villu Paatu is an ancient form of musical story-telling method where narration is interspersed with music played from a string bow and accompanying instruments.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Gaana, a combination of various folk musics is sung mainly in Chennai.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
There are many traditional instruments from the region dating back to the Sangam period such as parai,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> tharai,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> yazh,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and murasu.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Nadaswaram, a reed instrument that is often accompanied by the thavil, a type of drum instrument are the major musical instruments used in temples and weddings.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Melam is from a group of percussion instruments from the ancient Tamilakam which are played during events and functions.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="AA"/>
Performance artsEdit
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Bharatanatyam is a major genre of Indian classical dance that originated from the Tamils.<ref name="Loch">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Britbn">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> It is one of the oldest classical dance forms of India.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> There are many folk dance forms that originated and are practiced in the region. Major folk dance forms include Karakattam and Kavadiattam which involve dancers balancing decorated pot(s) on their heads and arch shaped wooden sticks on their shoulders respectively while making dance movements with the body.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Kolattam and Kummi are usually performed by women while singing songs.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In dances like Mayilattam, Puravaiattam, and Puliyattam, dancers dress like peacocks, horses and tigers respectively and headdresses perform movements imitating the animals.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Other traditional dance forms include the war dance Oyilattam and Paraiattam.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Koothu is a form of street theater that consists of a play performance which consists of dance along with music, narration and singing.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Koothu">Template:Cite book</ref> Bommalattam is a type of puppetry that uses various doll marionettes manipulated by rods and strings attached to them.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Martial artsEdit
Silambattam is a martial dance using a silambam, a long staff of about Template:Cvt in length, often made of wood such as bamboo.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was used for self-defense and to ward off animals and later evolved into a martial art and dance form.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Adimurai (or Kuttu varisai) is a martial art specializing in empty-hand techniques and application on vital points of the body.<ref name="Warrior">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Varma kalai is a Tamil traditional art of vital points which combines alternative medicine and martial arts, attributed to sage Agastiyar and might form part of the training of other martial arts such as silambattam, adimurai or kalari.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Malyutham is the traditional form of combat-wrestling.<ref name="Warrior"/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Tamil martial arts uses various types of weapons such as valari (iron sickle), maduvu (deer horns), vaal (sword) and kedayam (shield), surul vaal (curling blade), itti or vel (spear), savuku (whip), kattari (fist blade), aruval (machete), silambam (bamboo staff), kuttu katai (spiked knuckleduster), kathi (dagger), vil ambu (bow and arrow), tantayutam (mace), soolam (trident), valari (boomerang), chakaram (discus) and theepandam (flaming baton).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Wootz steel used to make weapons, originated in the mid-1st millennium BCE in South India.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Locals in Sri Lanka adopted the production methods of creating wootz steel from the Cheras and the later trade introduced it to other parts of the world.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Since the early Sangam age, war was regarded as an honourable sacrifice and fallen heroes and kings were worshipped with hero stones and heroic martyrdom was glorified in ancient Tamil literature.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Defeated kings committed Vatakkiruttal, a form of ritual suicide.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Modern artsEdit
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The Tamil film industry nicknamed as Kollywood and is one of the largest industries of film production in India.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Independent Tamil film production have also originated outside India in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Canada, and western Europe.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The concept of "Tent Cinema" was introduced in the early 1900s, in which a tent was erected on a stretch of open land close to a town or village to screen the films.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The first silent film in South India was produced in Tamil in 1916 and the first Tamil talkie film was Kalidas, which released on 31 October 1931, barely seven months after the release of India's first talking picture Alam Ara.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
ClothingEdit
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Ancient literature and epigraphical records describe the various types of dresses worn by Tamil people.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Costume">Template:Cite book</ref> Tamil women traditionally wear a sari, a garment that consists of a drape varying from Template:Cvt to Template:Cvt in length and Template:Cvt to Template:Cvt in breadth that is typically wrapped around the waist, with one end draped over the shoulder, baring the midriff.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Dress">Template:Cite book</ref> Women wear colourful silk sarees on traditional occasions.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Young girls wear a long skirt called pavaadai along with a shorter length sari called dhavani.<ref name="Costume"/> The men wear a dhoti, a Template:Cvt long, white rectangular piece of non-stitched cloth often bordered in brightly coloured stripes which is usually wrapped around the waist and the legs and knotted at the waist.<ref name="Costume"/><ref name="Dress"/><ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> A colourful lungi with typical batik patterns is the most common form of male attire in the countryside.<ref name="Costume"/><ref name="Cloth">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> People in urban areas generally wear tailored clothing, and western dress is popular. Western-style school uniforms are worn by both boys and girls in schools, even in rural areas.<ref name="Cloth"/>
CalendarEdit
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The Tamil calendar is a sidereal solar calendar.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Tamil Panchangam is based on the same and is generally used in contemporary times to check auspicious times for cultural and religious events.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The calendar follows a 60-year cycle.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> There are 12 months in a year starting with Chithirai when the Sun enters the first Rāśi and the number of days in a month varies between 29 and 32.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The new year starts following the March equinox in the middle of April.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The days of week (kiḻamai) in the Tamil calendar relate to the celestial bodies in the Solar System: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, in that order.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Food and hospitalityEdit
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Hospitality is a major feature of Tamil culture.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It was considered as a social obligation and offering food to guests was regarded as one of the highest virtues.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Rice is the diet staple and is served with sambar, rasam, and poriyal as a part of a Tamil meal.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Bananas find mention in the Sangam literature and the traditional way of eating a meal involves having the food served on a banana leaf, which is discarded after the meal. Eating on banana leaves imparts a unique flavor to the food, and is considered healthy.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Food is usually eaten seated on the floor and the finger tips of the right hand is used to take the food to the mouth.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
There are regional sub-varieties namely Chettinadu, Kongunadu, Nanjilnadu, Pandiyanadu and Sri Lankan Tamil cuisines.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="SLC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> There are both vegetarian and meat dishes with fish traditionally consumed across the coast and other meat preferred in the interiors. The Chettinadu cuisine is popular for its meat based dishes and generous usage of spices.<ref name="ETC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Kongunadu cuisine uses less spices and are generally cooked fresh. It uses coconut, sesame seeds, groundnut, and turmeric to go with various cereals and pulses grown in the region.<ref name="ETC"/><ref name="KN">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Nanjilnadu cuisine is milder and is usually based on fish and vegetables.<ref name="ETC"/> Sri Lankan Tamil cuisine uses gingelly oil and jaggery along with coconut and spices, which differentiates it from the other culinary traditions in the island.<ref name="SLC"/> Biryani is a popular dish with several different versions prepared across various regions.<ref name="KN"/> Idli, and dosa are popular breakfast dishes and other dishes cooked by to the Tamil people include upma,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> idiappam,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> pongal,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> paniyaram,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and parotta.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
MedicineEdit
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Siddha medicine is a form of traditional medicine originating from the Tamils and is one of the oldest systems of medicine in India.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The word literally means perfection in Tamil and the system focuses on wholesome treatment based on various factors. As per Tamil tradition, the knowledge of Siddha medicine came from Shiva, which was passed on to 18 holy men known as Siddhar led by Agastya. The knowledge was then passed on orally and through palm leaf manuscripts to the later generations.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref> Siddha practitioners believe that all objects including the human body is composed of five basic elements – earth, water, fire, air, sky which are present in food and other compounds, which is used as the basis for the drugs and other therapies.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
FestivalsEdit
Pongal is a major and multi-day harvest festival celebrated by Tamils in the month of Thai according to the Tamil solar calendar (usually falls on 14 or 15 January).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Puthandu is known as Tamil New Year which marks the first day of year on the Tamil calendar and falls on in April every year on the Gregorian calendar.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Other major festivals include Karthikai Deepam,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Thaipusam,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Panguni Uthiram,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and Vaikasi Visakam.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Aadi Perukku is a Tamil cultural festival celebrated in the Tamil month of Adi and the worship of Amman and Ayyanar deities are organized during the month in temples across Tamil Nadu with much fanfare.<ref name="AA">Template:Cite news</ref> Other festivals celebrated include Ganesh Chaturthi, Navarathri, Deepavali, Eid al-Fitr and Christmas.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
SportsEdit
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Jallikattu is a traditional event held during the period attracting huge crowds in which a bull is released into a crowd of people, and multiple human participants attempt to grab the large hump on the bull's back with both arms and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It has been practised since Sangam period with the aim of keeping people fit. Proficiency in the sport was considered a virtue while untamable bulls were held as a pride of the owner.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Kabaddi is a traditional contact sport that originated from the Tamils.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Chess is a popular board game which originated as Sathurangam in the 7th century CE.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Traditional games like Pallanguzhi,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Uriyadi,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Gillidanda,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Dhaayam are played across the region.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In modern times, Cricket is the most popular sport.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ReligionEdit
As per the Sangam literature, the Sangam landscape was classified into five categories known as thinais, which were associated with a Hindu deity: Murugan in kurinji (hills), Thirumal in mullai (forests), Indiran in marutham (plains), Varunan in the neithal (coasts) and Kotravai in palai (desert).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Thirumal is indicated as a deity during the Sangam era, who was regarded as Paramporul ("the suprement one") and is also known as Māyavan, Māmiyon, Netiyōn, and Māl in various Sangam literature.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> While Shiva worship existed in the Shaivite culture as a part of the Tamil pantheon, Murugan became regarded as the Tamil kadavul ("God of the Tamils").<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In Tamil tradition, Murugan is the youngest son of Shiva and Parvati and Pillayar is regarded as the eldest son, who is venerated as the Mudanmudar kadavul ("foremost god").<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The cult of the mother goddess is treated as an indication of a society which venerated femininity. The worship of Amman, also called Mariamman, is thought to have been derived from an ancient mother goddess, and is also very common.<ref name="Tradition">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Kannagi, the heroine of the Cilappatikaram is worshipped as a goddess by many Tamils, particularly in Sri Lanka.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the Sangam literature, there is a description of the rites performed by the priestesses in temples.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Among the ancient Tamils, the practice of erecting memorial stones (natukal) was prevalent and it continued till the Middle ages.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It was customary for people who sought victory in war to worship these hero stones to bless them with victory.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In rural areas, local deities called Aiyyan̲ār (also known as Karuppan, Karrupasami, Muniandi), are worshipped who are thought to protect the villages from harm.<ref name="Tradition"/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Their worship probably emanated from the hero stone worship and appears to be the surviving remnants of an ancient Tamil tradition.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Idol worship forms a part of the Tamil Hindu culture similar to the Hindu traditions.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Multiple image During the Sangam period, Ashivakam, Jainism and Buddhism also had a significant following.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Jainism existed from the Sangam period with inscriptions and drip-ledges from 1st century BCE to 6th century CE describing the same.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Kalabhra dynasty, who were patrons of Jainism, ruled over the ancient Tamil country in the 3rd–7th century CE.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Buddhism had an influence in Tamil Nadu before the later Middle Ages with ancient texts referring to a Vihāra in Nākappaṭṭinam from the time of Ashoka in 3rd century BCE and Buddhist relics from 4th century CE found in Kaveripattinam.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Buddha">Template:Cite book</ref> Around the 7th century CE, the Pandyas and Pallavas, who patronized Buddhism and Jainism, became patrons of Hinduism following the revival of Saivism and Vaishnavism during the Bhakti movement led by Alwars and Nayanmars.Template:Sfn<ref name="Bhakti"/>
The Christian apostle, St. Thomas, is believed to have preached Christianity to the Tamils between 52 and 70 CE.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Rowthers were Tamils who were converted to Islam by the Turkish preacher Nathar Shah in the tenth century CE and follow the Hanafi school.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Other Muslim clans such as Marakkayar, Labbai, and Kayalar originated as a result of the trade with the Arab world.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Majority of the Tamil Muslims speak Tamil rather than Urdu, which is spoken by Muslims in other parts of the Indian subcontinent.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Mercantile groups introduced Cholapauttam, a syncretic form of Buddhism and Shaivism in northern Sri Lanka and Southern India. The religion lost its importance in the 14th century when conditions changed for the benefit of Sinhala and Pali traditions.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
As of the 21st century, majority of the Tamils are adherents of Hinduism.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> The migration of Tamils to other countries resulted in new Hindu temples being constructed in places with significant population of Tamil people and people of Tamil origin, and countries with significant Tamil migrants.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Sri Lankan Tamils predominantly worship Murugan with numerous temples existing throughout the island.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> There are also followers of Ayyavazhi in Tamil Nadu, mainly in the southern districts.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Atheist, rationalist, and humanist philosophies are also adhered by sizeable minorities, as a result of Tamil cultural revivalism in the 20th century, and its antipathy to what it saw as Brahminical Hinduism.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Notable peopleEdit
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See alsoEdit
- List of languages by first written accounts
- Kumari Kandam
- Tamil population by cities
- Tamil population by nation
NotesEdit
ReferencesEdit
BibliographyEdit
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External linksEdit
- Tamils – Encyclopædia Britannica entry