TAMIL TRADITIONS

TAMIL CULTURE

Tamil culture is the culture of the Tamil people. Tamil culture is rooted in the arts and ways of life of Tamils in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and across the globe. Tamil culture is expressed in language, literature, music, dance, theatre, folk arts, martial arts, painting, sculpture, architecture, sports, media, comedy, cuisine, costumes, celebrations, philosophy, religions, traditions, rituals, organizations, science, and technology. In fact Tamil is the oldest civilization in the world.

Language and literature

Tamils have strong attachment to the Tamil language, which is often venerated in literature as "Tamil̲an̲n̲ai", "the Tamil mother".^[2] It has historically been, and to large extent still is, central to the Tamil identity.^[3] Like the other languages of South India.

Martial Traditions

Various martial arts including Kuttu Varisai, Varma Kalai, Silambam, Adithada, Malyutham and Kalarippayattu, are practised in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.^[37] The warm-up phase includes yoga, meditation and breathing exercises. Silambam originated in ancient Tamilakam and was patronized by the Pandyans, Cholas and Cheras, who ruled over this region. Silapathiharam a Tamil literature from the 2nd century AD, refers to the sale of Silamabam instructions, weapons and equipment to foreign traders.^[38] Since the early Sangam age, there was a warlike culture in South India.

Traditional Weapons

The Tamil martial arts also includes various types of weapons.

• Valari (throwing stick)
• Maduvu (deer horns)
• Surul Vaal (curling blade)
• Vaal (sword) + Ketayam (shield)
• Itti or Vel (spear)
• Savuku (whip)
• Kattari (fist blade)
• Veecharuval (battle Machete)
• Silambam (long bamboo staff)
• Kuttu Katai (spiked knuckleduster)
• Katti (dagger/knife)
• Vil (bow)
• Tantayutam (mace)
• Soolam (trident)
• Theekutchi (flaming baton)
• Yeratthai Mulangkol (dual stick)
• Yeretthai Vaal (dual sword)             

Performing arts

Famous Tamil dance styles are

• Bharatanatyam (Tamil classical dance)
• Sadirattam (Tamil classical dance- erotic music and movements similar to mohiniattam)
• Karakattam (Tamil ancient folk dance)
• Koothu (A folk and street dance)
• Kaliyal (A folk dance using sticks and intricate movements)
• Devarattam (A dance of warriors)
• Kai-silambam (A folk dance holding silambam in hand)
• Paraiattam (A folk drums and dance)
• Kavadiattam (dedicated to the Tamil God Murugan)
• Kummiyattam (female folk dance)
• Bommalattam (Puppet dance)
• Puliyattam (Tiger dance)
• Mayilattam (Peacock dance)
• Paampu attam (snake dance)
• Oyilattam (Dance of Grace)
• Poikkaal Kuthirai Aattam (False legged

Jallikattu

In Ancient times, two bullfighting and bull-racing sports were conducted. 1.Manjuvirattu and 2. Yeruthazhuval. These sports were organised to keep the people's temperament always fit and ready for the war at any time. Each has its own techniques and rules. These sports acted as one of the criteria to marry girls of warrior family. There were traditions where the winner would be chosen as bridegroom for their daughter or sister.

The ancient Tamil art of unarmed bullfighting, popular amongst warriors in the classical period,^[76][77] has also survived in parts of Tamil Nadu, notably Alanganallur near Madurai, where it is known as Jallikattu and is held once a year around the time of the Pongal festival.

 வாழ்க தமிழ் வெல்க தமிழ்