History of Tamil Cultural Elements Dr

ELK ASIA PACIFIC JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

ISSN 2394-9392 (Online); DOI: 10.16962/EAPJSS/issn. 2394-9392/2015; Volume 4 Issue 3 (2018)

www.elkjournals.com ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… HISTORY OF TAMIL CULTURAL ELEMENTS DR. K. Ramesh BT Assistant Chennai Higher Secondary School

Abstract Since 3000 thousand year old Tamilan being as Tamilan without varying in their character, culture, respect, simplicity, submissiveness, compassionate ,cosmopolitan life, congenial approach, generous relationship, relaxing character, yielding character ,following philosophy life, expressing politely ,hardworking ,sincerity , faithfulness ,friendliness , peace-making thought, following secular ideology ,conducting life on de- mocracy aspects, showing interest on cultivation, making or composing agrarian culture, paying concern on afforestation ,shows interest on poverty alleviation ,respecting human value ,possessing charity character ,sympathetic concern on other, merciful in- nate intentions on creating human value and sentimentalised people . On these chief characters of the Tamil people are highlighted and represented historically in Indian history, from these characters of them Tamilnadu is prouded and veneered and re- spected by all the sections of the people India. Key Words: Tamilnadu Culture, Respectful Region, Traditional life Method, respecting others, Dignity based civil life. inevitable. Basically, Tamil philosophy INTRODUCTION is a Tamil way of life, a design of living “Tamil culture” in this study is a connecting frightening between the studies of “Cultural subjects in Tamil that has been formed during the periods cinema‟ and the study of “inspiration of Tamil history. It has been trained by on Tamil society‟. Hence, a basic numerous factors like society, economy, acceptance of about Tamil culture is politics and religion. This cultural heritage of Tamils, particularly in Tamil

Nadu, progressed through various features of Tamil philosophy, based on phases of history including Sangam gender dynamics. It has been one of the period, reigns, alien incursions and human sentiments conspicuously dealt Indian egalitarianism. in Tamil prose. In particular, Sangam literature defines numerous kinds of As Tamil culture by itself is a massive Kaathal. Thirukkural gives one of the and detached area for study, only eight three sections for the conversation of Tamil cultural features are designated this human sentiment even today, for the purpose of an in-depth study. Kaathal is one of the protuberant These features are selected for they are themes inspiring poets for their commonly and usually referred to, and composition. As the process deliberated. These traditional elements encompasses interpersonal connexion will current the basics of Tamil culture between loving man and woman to some degree and function as indicating gender dynamics, Kaathal is variables to identify cultural subjects in treated under sex base. Tamil cinema. The following table presents certain Tamil cultural KARPU essentials, their connotations and Karpu means immaculate. It is associated cultural bases. (Ref Page- 1) generally understood as sexual behaviour of a man or woman Constituents of this table are acceptable to the moral norms and explained below. guidelines of a culture. In Tamil culture,

KAATHAL originally, it is wider in its semantic field and the overarching meaning is not Kaathal generally means love. The strictly sexual. The ancient cultural English word "love" is expressions, can history of Tamils describes Karpu have a diversity of related but different simply as one of the methods of connotations in diverse backgrounds. In marriage. It is an open alliance Tamil culture, Kaathal severely means contracted with the consent of the love situation or connection between parents, as opposed to Kalavu, which is two paramours. It is one of the interior a secret marriage. Later, in Tamil

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ISSN 2394-9392 (Online); DOI: 10.16962/EAPJSS/issn. 2394-9392/2015; Volume 4 Issue 3 (2018) culture, it becomes a core value, functioning in the dynamics of building unity of the family. In other civilisation and one’s or co-operative words, it is a principle on which a Tamil consciousness. It has been a decisive woman leads her life and runs the characteristic of Tamil culture related to family with honour. In addition, it was socio-psychological sphere. Hence, associated with chastity based on sex Maanam is preserved under psycho- and virginity and became a moral value social base of Tamil culture. reserved more for women than men. As Karpu is placed under Aham, the MOZHI internal aspects of Tamil society focusing family, it is treated as familial Mozhi means etymologically. It is a base. major tool of announcement between one another. It is used to preserve and MAANAM carry culture and cultural ties. Hence, the connection between Mozhi and Maanam means honour. It institutes a culture is extremely rooted. As far as personality, which replicates Tamils are concerned, Mozhi is an admiration, truthfulness and self- integral part of their philosophy. The respect. It is one’s status for good ethnicity of Tamils is definite in relation behaviour judged by others. It is to the Tamil Mozhi. In other words, the extremely appreciated and accredited as word Tamil means together Tamil one of the highest features of Tamil Mozhi and the ethnic group which uses culture. It is also vulnerable to offence, Tamil language. It has historically been, misgiving, chatter, defamation and and to large extent still, is central to defamation. The equivalence of Tamil exclusivity. Tamils revere Tamil Kavarimaan (a deer) is popular among language as "Tamilannai", connotation Tamils, which describes that Maanam is Tamil mother. The history and advanced than one’s life. The abundance of literatures have intelligence of Maanam is appropriate considerably contributed to the growth to both single and society. It is of Tamil Mozhi. In fact, the linguistic

and literary aspects are devoted. Thus, relationship with God, as articulated in Mozhi becomes a literary and language Tamil manuscripts and socio-cultural base of Tamil culture. traditions in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the fundamental frameworks for the study NILAM of Tamil heritage. Social life has been Nilam means land. It is moderately interrelated with the instructions of natural for human beings to project their Samayam. Productiveness cult, life style and cultural heritage based on Nadukal worship, predecessor worship, their land. In Sangam age, the culture Amman worship etc. have been some of the was related to geographical divisions. outmoded languages of Samayam. In Hence, Tamil culture has been known as Sangam age, each topographic region Thinai culture. In addition, Thaai Mann, had importance to its special deity. Thaai Nilam, Thaai Naadu and Nila Historically, Tamil culture has lodged Magal are common phrases commonly all general faiths including Buddhism, used to denote the motherly and Jainism, Christianity, and Islam. The feminine expressions of land. Tamils word „Kadavul‟ has been used to mention to Tamil land as Tamilagam. It represent both the mystical being initially stood for the entire Tamil without any gender identity and speaking land and now it severely particular deity. Temples, carnivals, means Tamil Nadu. In classical worships and philosophy are the related economics, land is treated as one of the elements of Samayam. Thus, Samayam three factors of constructions. The other is treated under religious base. two are capital and labour. In this context, Nilam is dealt as property in VEERAM general, and is largely treated as a Veeram means courageousness material base of Tamil culture. representation the characteristics of strength, will, capacity to challenge and SAMAYAM jeopardy taking. In Tamil tradition, it Samayam means religion. In Tamil it has been one of the qualities of denotes to the worldview or leadership and measured by physical „wholeness‟ of people in their ability, success and power. Sangam

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ISSN 2394-9392 (Online); DOI: 10.16962/EAPJSS/issn. 2394-9392/2015; Volume 4 Issue 3 (2018) literature defines that Veeram and war awareness of the Tamils. It is known as have been life base of Tamils and a congenital characteristic of Tamil everyday events, and there was no philosophy and it is even said that there private section of people prearranged is no superior sin than to disrespect the for war. Wound on the chest was a guests. Under social base, Sangam symbol of Veeram and wound on back literature defines the features and values was representation of cowardice. of Virunthompal. Thirukkural defines Fearlessness and courageous death the ethics of Virunthompal leading to were highly appreciated. Festivals were broader worldview and open systematized to honour the death of relationship. Even today, it is claimed to audacious warriors. The concept of be a prominent cultural expression of Veeram has been very much associated Tamils. As it indicates the process of with mannishness. For instance, relationship or communication with the Sangam literature indicates that it is the other, adventure the border of a family, duty of the son to determine his it is deliberated under social base in exceptional bravery in war. It is an Tamil philosophy. element of Puram, the external aspect of Tamil society, involving politics. As CONCLUSION Veeram is executed in the context of Thus, Kaathal, Karpu, Maanam, Mozhi, establishing or displaying one’s power, Nilam, Samayam, Veeram and it treated under political base. Virunthompal are the eight cultural fundamentals identified and VIRUNTHOMPAL acknowledged in Tamil philosophy Virunthompal means welcome, based on eight social bases. All these mentioning to relationship between host cultural elements and connected and guest. It is compassionate of cultural bases have foundation in welcome or entertainment protracted to tradition, history and reputation of guest, stranger, and whoever is in need. Tamil cultural legacy. These cultural As far as Tamil culture is concerned, it elements will serve as eight key factors is a responsiveness sophisticated in the to study cultural subjects of Tamil

cinema in the next chapter. In this study 4. Adams, R.M., 1965 Land behind the fundamental characteristics of Baghdad, the University of Chicago Tamilians and Tamilnadu social and Press, Chicago. cultural practices in every household 5. Agrawal, D.P., 2001"The Idea of since forefather period to present time. India and its Heritage: The As thus study quoted that there is no and Millennial Challenges", Man and would not be great sin except insulting Environment, Journal of Indian and contempt our guest ,in this way it Society for Prehistoric and has given prime stress on ancient and Quaternary Studies, Deccan present Tamilnadu people cultural College, Pune, vol. XXVI, no. 1, practices . pp.15-22. 6. Agrawal, D.P., and Kusumgar, S., Bibliography 1966 "Radio Carbon Dates of 1. Abdul Majeed, A., 1987 "A Note on Samples from Southern Korkai Excavations", Tamil 7. Neolithic sites", Current Science, Civilization, Tamil University, vol.5, pp. 585-586. Thanjavur, vol.5, nos. 1&2, pp.74- 8. Ainkurunuru (Sangam literature), 77. 2004 New Century Book House, 2. Abdul Majeed, A., 1992 Chennai. Alagankulam: A Preliminary 9. Aiyappan, A., 1940-1941 "Rude Report, Tamil Nadu Stone Monuments of the Perumal StateArchaeology Department, Hills", Quarterly Journal Mythic Madras. Society, vol.31, pp.373-379. 3. Abdul Majeed, A., 1993 10. Ahananuru (Sangam literature), "Alagankulamum Ayal 2004 new century Book House, Natturavum", (in Tamil) Paper Chennai. presented in the seminar on Tamil 11. Allchin, B. and Allchin, F.R., 1968 Nadu Ports and Foreign Contacts, 14-15 the Birth of Indian Civilization, February, Poompuhar. Penguin Books, Harmondsworth. 12. Allchin, F.R., 1974 "Pottery from graves in the Perumal Hills near

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Kodaikanal", in Perspectives in 19. Arunachalam, S., 1952 the History Palaeoanthropology, Ghosh, A.K., of the Pearl Fishery of the Tamil Nadu (ed.), Sirma, Coast, K.L.Mukhopadiya,Calcutta, 20. Annamalai Historical Series no.10, pp.299-303. Annamalai University, 13. Allchin, F.R., 1995 the Archaeology Annamalainagar. of Early Historic South Asia - The 21.Athiyaman, N., 2000 Pearl and Emergence of Cities and States, Chank Diving of South Indian Coast, Cambridge University Press, Tamil University, Thanjavur. Cambridge. 22. Babington, J., 1823 "Descriptions of 14. Anbarasan, R., 2004 Archaeology the Pandoo Collides in Malabar", of Karur Region, Unpublished Transactions of Literary Society of M.Phil Dissertation, Tamil Bombay, vol.3, pp.324-330. University, Thanjavur. 23. Baliga, B.S., 1966 Madras District 15. Anglade, A., 1954 "The Dolmens of Gazetteers - Coimbatore, Government Palani Hills", Journal of Press, pp.1-662. Anthropological Society, vol.8, 24. Bandaranayke, S., 1992 "The no.2, pp.23-78 Settlement Pattern of the Proto-historic- 16. Ansari, Z.D, and Dhavalikar, M.K., Early Historic Interface in Sri Lanka", 1973 Excavations at Kayatha, in South Asian Archaeology 1989, Deccan College Research Institute, 25. C.Jarrige (ed.), Prehistory Press, Poona. Madison Wisconsin, pp.15-24.

26. Banerjee, N.R. and Soundara Rajan, 17. Aravamudhan, T.G., 1938 K.V., 1959 "Sanur 1950 &1952: a Catalogue of the Venitian Coins in the Megalithic site in District Chingleput", Madras Government Museum, Ancient India, vol.15, pp.4-42. Government Museum, Madras. 27. Banerjee, N.R., "Megalithic 18. Arokiaswami, M., 1956 the Kongu boulders of South Indians were Country, University of Madras, Madras. Dravidian speakers – A Review",

Transactions of the Archaeological 33. Begley, V., Lukacs, J.R. and Society of South India, Silver Jubilee Kennedy, K.A.R., 1981 "Excavations of volume, pp.180 -189. Iron Age Burials at Pomparippu, 1970", 28. Beck, Horace C., 1930 "Notes on Ancient Ceylon, vol.4, pp.49-132. Sundry Asiatic Beads", Man, vol.30, no.34, pp.166-182. 29. Begley and Richard Danial De Puma (eds.), 1989-1992 Rome and India: The Ancient Sea Trade, Oxford University Press, New Delhi. 30. Begley, V., 1973 "Proto-historic Material from Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and Indian Contacts", in Ecological Backgrounds of South Asian Pre- history, 31. A.R.Kennedy and GeorgeL.Possehl (eds.), Cornell University, Cornell, pp.193- 194. 32. Begley, V., 1993 "New Investigations at Port Arikamedu", Journal of Roman Archaeology, vol.6, pp.93-108. LIST OF TABLE Tamil Cultural Elements and Bases

No Elements Meaning Cultural Base

01 Kaathal Love Gender 02 Karpu Chastity Familial 03 Maanam Honour Psycho-social 04 Mozhi Language Literary

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ISSN 2394-9392 (Online); DOI: 10.16962/EAPJSS/issn. 2394-9392/2015; Volume 4 Issue 3 (2018)

05 linguistic Nilam Land Material 06 Samayam Religion Religious 07 Veeram Valour Political 08 Virunthompal Hospitality Social