This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. [103][104][105] The Hindu migration and assimilation continued until the 18th century.[103]. [168] Munis are a group of guardian gods, who are worshiped by Tamils. [180][181][182] The steel was exported as cakes of steely iron that came to be known as "Wootz". [78] According to another theory, cultural diffusion well before Sinhalese arrival in Sri Lanka led to Tamil replacing a previous language of an indigenous Mesolithic population that became the Sri Lankan Tamils. [19] Pallava traders and religious leaders travelled to Southeast Asia and played an important role in the cultural Indianisation of the region. In its religious form, the dance is performed in front of an image of the goddess Mariamma. [127][128][129][130], Tamils have strong attachment to the Tamil language, which is often venerated in literature as Tamil̲an̲n̲ai, "the Tamil mother". Other gods mentioned were Mayyon and Vaali who are major deities in Hinduism today. The classical Tamil literature, referred to as Sangam literature, is attributed to the period between 200 BCE and 300 CE. [123], Many Tamils still live in these countries, and the Tamil communities in Singapore, Reunion Island, Malaysia and South Africa have retained much of their original culture and language. Tamil people were among the first peoples who cultivated rice; the word "rice" probably has its origin in Tamil word "Arisi". Ethnic Insurgency and National Integration: A Study of Selected Ethnic Problems in South Asia (1997) p. 114. info)) is a Dravidian language natively spoken by the Tamil people of India and Sri Lanka.Tamil is the official language of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, as well as two sovereign states, Sri Lanka and Singapore. "Peopling of India." Artifacts marking the presence of Roman traders show direct trade was active between Rome and Southern India and the Pandyas were recorded as having sent at least two embassies directly to Emperor Augustus in Rome. Tolkappiyam mentions that each of these thinai had an associated deity such as Seyyon in Kurinji-the hills, Thirumal in Mullai-the forests, Korravai in Marutham-the plains, and Wanji-ko in the Neithal-the coasts and the seas. [193] A style which is related in origin, but which exhibits significant differences in execution, is used for painting murals on temple walls; the most notable example are the murals on the Koodal Azhagar temple and Meenakshi temple of Madurai, and the Brihadeeswarar temple of Tanjore. Hart, G.L. According to Iraiyanar Agapporul, a 10th/11th century annotation on the Sangam literature, the Tamil country extended southwards beyond the natural boundaries of the Indian peninsula comprising 49 ancient nadus (divisions). While the Marakkayar and Kayalar sects claim descent from the Arab world, the Rowther and Lebbai sects claim descent from the Turkic world. A South Indian Journey: The Smile of Murugan, Michael Wood (2002), p. 76. Classical Tamil literature, which ranges from lyric poetry to works on poetics and ethical philosophy, is remarkably different from contemporary and later literature in other Indian languages, and represents the oldest body of secular literature in South Asia. [99] Akalesvara was the chief minister of the Sinhalese king Parakramabahu V (1344–59 CE) and soon became the real power behind the throne. A major part of Tamil performing arts is its classical form of dance, the Bharatanatyam, whereas the popular forms are known as Koothu. The Tamil country is strategically located in the Indian Ocean and had access to a sea trade route. [170] According to George L. Hart, the legend of the Tamil Sangams or literary assemblies was based on the Jain sangham at Madurai. [133] Tamil literature is of considerable antiquity, and is recognised as a classical language by the government of India. There is epigraphic evidence of people identifying themselves as Damelas or Damedas (the Prakrit word for Tamil people) in Anuradhapura, the capital city of Rajarata, and other areas of Sri Lanka as early as the 2nd century BCE. [178] Another sign of its reputation is seen in a Persian phrase – to give an "Indian answer", meaning "a cut with an Indian sword". to Anuradhapura between the 7th and 11th centuries CE in such large numbers that local chiefs and kings trying to establish legitimacy came to rely on them. The religion lost its importance in the 14th century when conditions changed for the benefit of Sinhala/Pali traditions.[148]. Silapathiharam, Tamil literature from the 2nd century CE, refers to the sale of Silamabam instructions, weapons and equipment to foreign traders. In the 10th century, the philosopher Ramanuja propagated the theory of Visishtadvaitam. Tamils, with a population of around 76 million and with a documented history stretching back over 2,000 years, are one of the largest and oldest extant ethnolinguistic groups in the modern world. He led successful expeditions to the north as attested by his epigraphs found as far as Cuddappah. It was a self-sacrifice of a warrior to the goddess of war for the victory of his commander. Tamils were noted for their influence on regional trade throughout the Indian Ocean. The Samavayanga Sutra dated to the 3rd century BC contains a reference to a Tamil script named 'Damili'. [141] This represents an early religious and cultural fusion[142][note 3] or synthesis[144] between ancient Dravidians and Indo-Aryans, which became more evident over time with sacred iconography, flora and fauna that went on to influence Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. [35], Ancient Tamils had three monarchical states, headed by kings called "Vendhar" and several tribal chieftainships, headed by the chiefs called by the general denomination "Vel" or "Velir". Throughout the 15th and 16th century the Vijayanagara Empire was the dominant power of South India and sponsored many Tamil literary works. In rural Tamil Nadu, many local deities, called aiyyan̲ārs, are thought to be the spirits of local heroes who protect the village from harm. Baby Names Tamil: Parents who choose to name their boy and girl babies choose the baby tamil names in various ways. [199], Ancient Tamil works, such as the Cilappatikaram, describe a system of music,[200] and a 7th-century Pallava inscription at Kudimiyamalai contains one of the earliest surviving examples of Indian music in notation. In van Lohuizen, J.E. in their areas of habitation in the northeast of the island. Tamil people were among the first peoples who cultivated rice; the word "rice" probably has its origin in Tamil word "Arisi". The forms of martial suicide were known as Avipalli, Thannai, Verttal, Marakkanchi, Vatakkiruttal and Punkilithu Mudiyum Maram. Significant populations reside in Karnataka (2.9 million), Maharashtra (1.4 million), Andhra Pradesh (1.2 million), Kerala (0.6 million) and the National Capital Region (0.1 million). Both are celebrated by almost all Tamils, regardless of religion. [183], The Tamilakam method was to heat black magnetite ore in the presence of carbon in a sealed clay crucible inside a charcoal furnace. 11, Dennis Kennedy "The Oxford Encyclopedia of Theatre and Performance, Publisher:Oxford University Press. [194], Tamil sculpture ranges from elegant stone sculptures in temples, to bronze icons with exquisite details. Tamil Eelam is a proposed independent state that Tamils in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora aspire to establish in the north and east of Sri Lanka. Southworth suggests that the name comes from tam-miz > tam-iz 'self-speak', or 'one's own speech'. American Ceylon Mission Press, Tellippalai Ceylon 1918, Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Sasay to Zorgot by Mohan Lal p. 4283, Nagapattinam to Suvarnadwipa: Reflections on the Chola Naval Expeditions to Southeast Asia by Hermann Kulke, K Kesavapany, Vijay Sakhuja p. 79, The Emporium of the World: Maritime Quanzhou, 1000–1400 by Angela Schottenhammer p. 293, harvnb error: no target: CITEREFSteever1998 (, Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Sasay to Zorgot by Mohan Lal p. 4284, The cyclopædia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia By Edward Balfour. Tamils account for at least one-sixth of the population in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Kanchan Sinha, Kartikeya in Indian art and literature, Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan (1979). [54][55] The poems of Sangam literature, which deal with emotional and material topics, were categorised and collected into various anthologies during the medieval period. These recent emigrants have most often moved to Australia, Europe, North America and southeast Asia. The Hoysalas, under Vira Someswara, were quick to intervene and this time they sided with the Pandyas and repulsed the Cholas in order to counter the latter's revival. [79], According to their tradition, Sri Lankan Tamils are lineal descendants of the aboriginal Naga and Yaksha people of Sri Lanka. Thosai synonyms, Thosai pronunciation, Thosai translation, English dictionary definition of Thosai. [37] The Tamil kings and chiefs were always in conflict with each other, mostly over territorial hegemony and property. [42] Potsherds with Tamil writing have also been found in excavations on the Red Sea, suggesting the presence of Tamil merchants there. [6] Tamils constitute 5.9% of the population in India (concentrated mainly in Tamil Nadu), 15% in Sri Lanka,[note 2] 6% in Mauritius,[13] 7% in Malaysia and 5% in Singapore. Most traditional art is religious in some form and usually centres on Hinduism, although the religious element is often only a means to represent universal—and, occasionally, humanist—themes. English historian and broadcaster Michael Wood called the Tamils the last surviving classical civilisation on Earth, because the Tamils have preserved substantial elements of their past regarding belief, culture, music and literature despite the influence of globalization. [26] Tamiḻar is etymologically related to Tamil, the language spoken by Tamil people. [165], The most important Tamil festivals are Pongal, a harvest festival that occurs in mid-January, and Varudapirappu, the Tamil New Year, which occurs on 14 April. [62] Cholas exacted tribute from Thailand and the Khmer Empire. The most popular Tamil Hindu deity is Murugan; he is known as the patron god of the Tamils and is also called "Tamil Kadavul" (Tamil God). Dishes such as dosa, idli, and vadai are served with sambar, chutney or in Sri Lanka with coconut sambal. [58] Pallava Narasimhavarman however reversed this victory in 642 by attacking and occupying Badami temporarily. [39], Agriculture was important during this period, and there is evidence that networks of irrigation channels were built as early as the 3rd century BCE. They carried a suicide pill around their neck to escape captivity and torture. More traditional items may be oatmeal porridge, Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content, A day with Anwar on the campaign trail: 'I am tired... but I have to push ahead', Lalin's Column : Late Lieutenant Colonel V Ramanathan SL Artillery (1931-2018), Singapore PM's food adventures with Duterte, foreign dignitaries, North meets south at Malay-Indian couple's Diwali celebration, COMPETITION AND READER OFFER Win a trip to India with Coconut Lagoon, WEEKEND: FOOD: Spice road turns to south; MOTHER'S HOME COOKING INSPIRES FAMILY TO SPECIALISE IN AWARD-WINNING FLAVOURS OF A LESS WELL-KNOWN PART OF INDIA, Is it illegal to broadcast World Cup matches at 'mamak' shops? Production sites from antiquity have emerged, in places such as Anuradhapura, Tissamaharama and Samanalawewa, as well as imported artifacts of ancient iron and steel from Kodumanal. Although most Tamil people are Hindus, many (especially those in the rural areas) practice what is considered to be Dravidian folk religion, venerating a plethora of village deities, while a sizeable number are Muslims and Christians.
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