|
|
|
|
|
Tamil PeopleThe Tamil people are a South Asian community numbering more than seventy million and living mostly in Tamil Nadu state and neighbouring areas in south-eastern India (65 million), in the north and east of Sri Lanka (three million), in Malaysia (two million), Singapore (approx 200,000) and Canada (approx 200,000, most in Toronto). There are also pockets of Tamil communities living in Madagascar, Seychelles Islands, Australia, South Africa, Mauritius, Trinidad and many European countries. The Early immigiration of tamils occurred during the regime of pandyas and Cholas, this is mostly to srilanka, and some southeast asian countries. The next, second immigration of Tamils around the world has occurred in two stages - emigration (often forced) within the British Empire as workers, and refugees leaving Sri Lanka due to the ethnic conflict there. Nearly all Tamils speak the Tamil language, it is the only Dravidian language that prevails India without mixing up with sanskrit. Dravidian tongues were once spoken widely across the Indian subcontinent but now largely confined to its southern quarter. Tamils respect thier language as 'Tamil mother'. Most tamils were Buddist and shaivism. Now, most Tamils are Hindu, with significant minorities being Christian or Muslim. - Thirukural Considered as the holy book for tamil which preaches humanity beyond race, creed, redilion,ethinicity.To be noted this the book that has been translated to most number of lanugages after Bible.
- Cilappatikaram one among the five great epics in tamil written about 3 AD.
- Manimegalai this is a twin epic along with Cilappatikaram. and this speaks about Buddism and its spread in tamizhakam
Tamils as Tamilians Using the term Tamil to refer to people of Tamil origin is sometimes considered Anglicised; the more popular usage among Indians being the term Tamilians; singular Tamilian. Tamilian is again an anglicised term for the more exact Tamil word தமிழன் (tamiḻan); plural தமிழர்கள் (tamiḻarkaḷ). Core culture and values The important core values of Tamilians from ancient Tamil culture are hospitality and alms. Ancient Tamil legends tell of a king who gave his chariot to a Jasmine plant etc. Even if you don't have anything, give the best to others is the mantra. Fame-free culture In ancient Tamil culture, poets were nurtured by the Kings. They played a major role; in some respects their mystical influence was considered more significant than the Kings decisions. Mythology and popular history include reports of poets stopping wars by force of their art. Ancient Tamil poets rarely ascribed a title or their own names to their work. This symbolic fame-free practice has left an important though difficult to substantiate legacy for some artists. Many works were named long after their creation: Tirukkural was named later so, as it is written with kurals; Tolkaappiyam was named later so, as it is the oldest literature (thol means old, kappiyam means literature), and so on. And even, the poets' names were added later. Because of this, the poets' names are usually associated with the titles, for example: Tirukkural->Tiruvalluvar, Tolkaappiyam->Tolkappiyar, etc. Notable ancient arts The most ancient dance-theatre dance form on earth. Earlier called as "Sathir" as followed by the "pottu kattia" married to god Devar Adiyargal from Isai Vellalar Community. Tamil Brahmins emancipated this art from the clutches of bad name, and gave a pan indic, pan world appeal. A lot of refinement took place here. Also called as Nagaswaram, this is a 12 hole "Rakshasha Flute" a big wooden flute, and needs amazing amount of lungpower to play. Very few people can actually master this instrument. Usually used in religious ceremonies. No other instrument has 12 holes. Also called as Deva Swaram - it can produce vibrations which according to legend can ripen fruit and produce cloud bursts. Unique medication system. Medicines are sometimes herbal. The best of such medication systems is fixing a sprain in just one touch to the muscles. The faith of that medicine system is that the at least one trick should not be told to others to keep the purity of the medicine; and because of such beliefs, those medication system is very hard to find; however it is still surviving in a few villages. Another medication system believed to be practiced by Siddhars in ancient Tamil Nadu and is still practiced. http://perso.wanadoo.fr/varmakalai/VARMA%20KALAI%20-%20(ENGLISH)%201.htm - Unique martial art system. The attack is mainly on the key veins/vital points; attack may not be intense, but the effect will be very hard. The original-intense art couldn't survive because of some closed beliefs; now few of tricks are taught near Nagercoil; in Kerala few and modified such art can be seen. Another martial art. The tool is bamboo of 5.5 feet length. Taming of the bull. It is still surviving in very few villages especially Alanganallur. Decorative designs drawn in chalk usually by the female members of the family on the floor in front of the house especially at entrance. In olden days These kolam was drawn with rice flour, So that it would be a alms giving for small harmless insects. Villup pattu is a folk song culture of Tamilnadu. Singer sings with a vil (bow), about religious dramas, stories Old Tamil Group Discussion, in which the Naduvar (Judge) will moderate the discussion and will give final judgement. Old Tamil game, played over sand. 2 Groups of 10 or more people, catching the man, not allowing him to escape to his square. Festivals Tamil festival to celebrate the end of harvest. A kind of sweet,rice porridge is perpared and shown to the sun as a token of thanks for the bountiful harvest. Ethnic problems In India After independence, Tamilians felt they and their dravidian race were ignored by the North Indians. Their major complaints were: Freedom fighters from what is now Tamilnadu were not sufficiently recognized by the ruling Indian government, Hindi was widely promoted at the expense of the regional languages, Tamilians were given less importance by the Indian government These and other incidents prompted many Tamilians to seek a separate Dravidian identity. They fought for separate dravidian land and Dravidian independence under the leadership of Annadurai. However, Annadurai and others later felt the impracticality of secession and decided to take the political route by starting the DMK, with an objective to bring about a more federal constitutional structure for India. Many of those who fought for a separate Dravidian land still feel proud for their participation. Tamilians complain of hostility in other places of India with a large Tamil expatriate population. Some conspiracy theories say the legends such as Sivaji Ganesan, Ilayaraaja were not recognised because of their Tamilian identity. Ethnic slurs against Tamilians - Kali Madharasee - (Hindi) Black Tamilians
- Pandikaran - (Malayalam) Man belongs to Pandi land (the land name is used in disgracing tone).
In Sri Lanka See: Ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka Famous Tamilians See also: List of people from Tamil Nadu External links *
|
 |
| |
|
|