The ancient Tamil country refers to the areas of South India and the northeastern Sri Lanka in which Tamil was the major language during ancient times. During the Sangam period, corresponding to roughly from 200 BCE to 200 CE, this area was ruled by the three Tamil dynasties of Chola, Pandya and Chera, later Kongu, Tondai, and Pallava. The main sources of information including socio-political and cultural practices of the ancient Tamil country are from the Sangam literature, the ancient Tamil literature, epigraphical evidences, numismatics, and a few references in Greek, Latin and Sanskrit literature. South India is a linguistic-cultural region of India that comprises the four Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Pondicherry, whose inhabitants are collectively referred to as South Indians. ... Tamil ( தமிழ் ) is a classical language and the oldest of the Dravidian language family. ... now. ... The Chola dynasty (Tamil: , IPA: Chola pronounced Sola) was a Tamil dynasty that ruled primarily in southern India until the 13th century CE. The dynasty originated in the fertile valley of the Kaveri River. ... The Pandyan kingdom was an ancient state at the tip of South India, founded around the 6th century BCE. It was part of the Dravidian cultural area, which also comprised other kingdoms such as that of the Pallava, the Chera, the Chola, the Chalukya and the Vijayanagara. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Chera dynasty. ... Kongu may refer to: Kongu (Le-Matoran), A Matoran of Le-Koro/Mertu who is a Flyer of the Rahi Guuko birds. ... Tondai Nadu is a region of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. ... Pallavas were a South Indian dynasty. ... Sangam literature refers to a body of classical Tamil literature created between the years 200 BCE and 300 CE.[1][2] This collection contains 2381 poems written by 473 poets, some 102 of whom are anonymous authors[3]. The period during which these poems were written is commonly referred to... Tamil literature is literature in the Tamil language which most prominently includes the contributions of the Tamil country (or Tamizhagam) history, a large part of which constitutes the modern state of Tamil Nadu and Kerala as well as some parts of Karnataka and Andra pradesh. ... Latin literature, the body of written works in the Latin language, remains an enduring legacy of the culture of ancient Rome. ... Literature in Sanskrit, one of Indias two oldest languages, and the basis of several modern languages in India. ...

Ancient Tamil gods and goddesses

The religion of the ancient Tamils closely followed Hinduism^{[citation needed]}(Please see discussion on this page), although persisting with its roots of nature worship. The most popular deity was Murugan, who has from a very early date been identified with Karthikeya, the son of Siva. Muruga might have been a different deity originally stemming from a local deity. According to the noted expert on Tamil culture Kamil V. Zvelebil, "Subrahmanya-Murugan is one of the most complicated and baffling deities for analysis". The worship of Amman or Mariamman, thought to have been derived from Kotravai, an ancient mother goddess, also was very common. Kannagi, the heroine of the Cilappatikaram, was worshipped as Pathini by many Tamils, particularly in Sri Lanka. There were also many temples and devotees of Thirumaal, Siva, Ganapathi, and the other common Hindu deities. Hinduism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Muruga (also Murugan) (Tamil: ) is the most popular Hindu deity amongst Tamils of Tamil Nadu state in India and in the Tamil diaspora. ... In Hinduism, Kartikeya (also Murugan, Subrahmanya, Skanda, Kumaran, Swaminanda) is a deity born out of a magical spark created by Shiva. ... Nilakantha redirects here. ... Amman is the rural South Indian mother goddess (predominantly in Tamil Nadu). ... Mariamman This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... It has been suggested that Mother (neopaganism) be merged into this article or section. ... Kannagi, a mythological Tamil woman, is the central character of the South Indian epic Silapathikaram. ... Cilappatikaram (Tamil: சிலப்பதிகாரம் IPA tʃɪlÊŒppʌθɪkɑːɹʌm),[1] is one of the five great epics of ancient Tamil Literature. ... Kannagi (Tamil: ), a legendary Tamil woman, is the central character of the South Indian epic Silapathikaram. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being or Ultimate Reality for Vaishnavas and a manifestation of Brahman in the Advaita or Smarta traditions. ... Nilakantha redirects here. ... Popular image of Ganesh In Hinduism, Ganesha (Gaṇeśa, lord of the hosts, also spelled Ganesa and sometimes referred to as Ganesh in Hindi, Bengali and other Indian vernaculars) is the god of wisdom, intelligence, education and prudence. ...

In the ancient Sangam literature, the Tamil landscape was classified into five categories, thinais, based on the mood, season and the land. Each of these thinai had an associated deity such as Mayavan, Velavan, etc. Sangam literature refers to a body of classical Tamil literature created between the years 200 BCE and 300 CE.[1][2] This collection contains 2381 poems written by 473 poets, some 102 of whom are anonymous authors[3]. The period during which these poems were written is commonly referred to... The Sangam landscape is categorisation the Tamil landscape into various Thinais depending on the nature, location and the mood of the poem. ...

Tamil months

The ancient Tamil calendar was based on the sidereal year similar to the ancient Hindu solar calendar. The year was made up of twelve months: It has been suggested that Puthandu be merged into this article or section. ... The sidereal year is the time for the Sun to return to the same position in respect to the stars of the celestial sphere. ...

• Ootrai (Chithirai)
• Puyaazhi (Vaikaasi)
• Aandri (Aani)
• Eyyann (Aadi)
• Iruvann or Madangal (Aavani)
• Pulatrtrai (Purataasi)
• Eenjam (Ipasi)
• Itrtrai or Nali (Kaarthigai)
• Panmizh or Silai (Maarkazi)
• Thai (Thai)
• Moanji (Maasi)
• Polanurrai (Panguni)

Six seasons

Every two months constitute a season (Perumpozhuthu) :

• Ilavaenil, the spring in Thai and Moanji (mid January-mid March) ,
• Muthuvaenil, the summer in Polanurrai and Ootrai {mid March-mid May)
• Kaar, the rainy season in Puyaazhi and Aandri (mid May-mid July)
• Koo Uthir, the autumn in Eyyann and Iruvann (mid July-mid September)
• Munpani, the first winter in Pulatrtrai and Eenjam (mid September-mid November)
• Pinpani, the second winter in Itrai and Panmizh (mid November-mid January)

Ancient Tamil festivals

• Pongal, the festival of harvest and spring, thanking Lord Sevvéļ ,Lord Surya and Lord El, comes on January 14/15(Thai 1) .
• PeruVaenil Kadavizha, the festival for wishing quick and easy passage of the mid-summer months, on the day when the Sun or El stands directly above the head at noon(the start of Agni Natchaththiram) at the southern tip of ancient Tamil land . This day comes on April 14/15(Ootrai 1) .
• Mazhai Vizhavu, aka Indhira Vizha, the festival for want of rain, celebrated for one full month starting from the full moon in Ootrai(later name-Cittirai) and completed on the full moon in Puyaazhi(Vaikaasi)( which coincides with Buddhapurnima ) .
• Thai poosam and Puyaazhi(Vaikaasi) visaagam, the festivals of Tamil God Sevvaell's birth and accession to the Thirupparankundram Koodal Academy, coming on the day before the full moons of Thai and Puyaazhi respectively.
• Soornavai Vizha, the slaying of legendary Kadamba Asura king Surabadma, by Lord Sevvaell, comes on the sixth day after newmoon in Itrai (Kaarthigai) .
• Vaadai Vizha or Vadavazhi Vizha, the festival of welcoming the Lord El back to home, as He turns northward, celebrated on December 21/22 (Winter Solstice)(the sixth day of Panmizh[Maargazhi]) .
• the Semmeen Ezhumin Vizhavu (Aathi-Iřai Darisanam), the occasion of Lord Siva coming down from the ThiruCitrambalam and taking a look at the vaigarai Thiru Aathirai star in the early morning on the day before the full moon in Panmizh. Aathi Irai min is the star of the God(Siva) on the Bull(Nandi) .

This article is about the Hindu deity Skanda; for the Buddhist bodhisattva Skanda, see Skanda (Bodhisattva). ... This article is about the Hindu deity Skanda; for the Buddhist bodhisattva Skanda, see Skanda (Bodhisattva). ... // In Hinduism In Hindu mythology, the Asura (Sanskrit: असुर) are a group of power-seeking deities, sometimes misleadingly referred to as demons. ... This article is about the Hindu deity Skanda; for the Buddhist bodhisattva Skanda, see Skanda (Bodhisattva). ... EL or El may mean: Electroluminescence, an optical and electrical phenomenon where a material such as a natural blue diamond emits light when an electric current is passed through it. ... This article is about the Hindu God. ...

Ancient Tamil People

See also: Tamil people, Sangam literature, Sangam landscape, and Chronology of Tamil history

The land was divided into five types- Kurinci, Mullai, Marutam, Neithal and Paalai . The ancient Tamil people were divided into five different clans (kudi) based on their profession. They were Languages Tamil Religions Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Jainism Related ethnic groups Dravidian people Brahui people Kannadigas Malayalis Tamils Telugus Tuluvas Gonds The Tamil people are an ethnic group from the Indian subcontinent with a recorded history going back more than two millennia. ... Sangam literature refers to a body of classical Tamil literature created between the years 200 BCE and 300 CE.[1][2] This collection contains 2381 poems written by 473 poets, some 102 of whom are anonymous authors[3]. The period during which these poems were written is commonly referred to... The Sangam landscape is categorisation the Tamil landscape into various Thinais depending on the nature, location and the mood of the poem. ... // Pre-historic period c. ...

• the VaeLir - the farmers,
• the Mazhavar - the hill people who gather hill products, and the traders,
• the Naagar - people in charge of border security, who guarded the city wall and distant fortresses .
• the Kadambar - people who thrive on forests and
• the Thiraiyar - the sea-farers.

All the five kudi constituted a typical settlement, which was called an Ur or Oor. Later each clan spread across the land, formed individual settlements of their own and concentrated into towns, cities and countries. Thus the Vaelir settled in North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh, while the Mazhavar came to live in Kerala, West Tamil Nadu, East Andhra Pradesh and South Sri Lanka. The Naagar inhabited South and East Tamil Nadu, and North Sri Lanka, while the Kadambar settled in Central Tamil Nadu first and later moved to West Karnataka. The Thiraiyar inhabitated throughout the coastal regions . Later various subsects were formed based on more specific professions in each of the five landscapes . UR, Ur, or ur can refer to several things: The City of Ur Úr (letter) of the Ogham alphabet Ur (rune) ᚢ of the runic alphabets Royal Game of Ur Ur, the first known continent Ur- is a German prefix. ...

• Poruppan(the soldiers), Verpan(the leaders of the tribe/weaponists), Silamban(masters of martial arts/the art of fighting), Kuravar(the hunters and the gatherers, the people of foothills) and Kaanavar(the people of the mountainous forests ) in Kurinci,

• KuRumpoRai naadan-Kizhaththi(the landlord of the small towns amidst the forests in the valleys), ThonRal-Manaivi(the ministers and other noble couples), Idaiyar(the milkmaid and family), Aaiyar(the cattle-rearers) in Mullai,

• Vidalai(the innocent people and the victims of robbery, KaaLai(the robust native tribe who work to restore the fertility of the spoiled land), MeeLi(the saviours/people who are in charge of protecting and recovering the lost wealth from the robbers), Eyinar(the soldiers who guard the remote, isolated forts- that are permanently endangered by pirates), MaRavar(stubborn natives who were warriors, conquerors and rulers; including the major Tamil dynasties of Cheras, Cholas and Pandians; again a number of subsects have been formed all over Tamilland from early Maravars) in Paalai

• Uran(small landlords), Magizhnan(successful small scale farmers), Uzhavar(the farm workers), Kadaiyar(the merchants) in Marutham, and

• Saerppan(the seafood vendors and traders), Pulampan(the vegetarians who thrive on coconut and palm products), Parathar(people who lived in the seas-the merchants and the pirates), NuLaiyar(the wealthy people who both do fishing and grow palm farms) and ALavar(the salt cultivators) in Neithal .

Mukkulathor, Mukulathar or Mukulathor is a name for a group of three related social groups or castes of Tamil Nadu state of India. ...

The Five Artists

See also: Ancient Tamil music

Apart from these subsects, there were people who were musicians, stage artists and performers, who entertained the kings, the noble, the rich and the general masses. They were: The ancient Tamil music was the music of the ancient Tamil people. ...

• the Thudian, the masters of thudi -a small percussion instrument;
• the PaRaiyan, who beat maeLam(drums ) and perform kooththu a stage drama in dance form and also, proclaim king's announcements;
• the Muzhavan, who blow into a muzhavu -a pipe instrument, for the army indicating the start, the end of the day and the victory in the battlefield and also performs in kooththu alongside other artists .
• the Kadamban, who beat a large bass-like drum, the kadampaRai and blow a long bamboo kuzhal, the ceRioothuthi ( similar to the present Naagasuram ) .
• the PaaNan, who sang sweet songs in all paNN(tunes, that are specific for each landscape ) and are masters of yaazh -a stringed instrument with a wide range of frequency.

Together with the poets(pulavar) and the academic scholars(saanRoar), these people of special talents appeared to be from all walks of life, irrespective of their native profession.

Later fragmentations

After the tenth century C.E., even more subsects appeared in the Tamil society. Till date there are about 247 subsects in total spread in all the five early native clans of ancient Tamil people. The number is still growing at the rate of 1-2 per generation(~30 years).

Ancient Tamil kingdoms

Empires or large kingdoms were the Cholas, the Pandyas and the Cheras . The small kingdoms and city states amidst these big brothers were : The Cholas were the most famous of the three dynasties that ruled ancient Tamil Nadu. ... The Pandyan kingdom was an ancient state at the tip of South India, founded around the 6th century BCE. It was part of the Dravidian cultural area, which also comprised other kingdoms such as that of the Pallava, the Chera, the Chola, the Chalukya and the Vijayanagara. ... The Cheras were one of the three ancient Tamil dynasties who ruled the southern tip of the peninsula of India for most of its early history. ...

• Naanjil(1)- in the present Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu .
• Pothigai (Aai) nadu(2)- the Cardamom hills and Palani hills of Southwest Tamil Nadu .
• Kaandhal KuRa Nadu(3)- TenKasi and Kutrraalam, Thirunelvaeli dt .
• Koadai malai(4)- Kodaikkanal, Dindigul dt .
• Malai Nadu(5)- the Anaimalai Range in Kerala.
• Evvi's Needoor-Mizhalai (6)- Pudukottai district in TN.
• Parampu malai(7)- West Namakkal dt.
• Thoandri malai(8)- Pachchai malai,Perambalur dt .
• MuLLur Nadu and capital ThirukKoilur (9)- West Vizhuppuram, West Thiruvannamalai dt's.
• Kolli malai nadu (10) - East Namakkal dt.
• Oaymaan Nadu (11) in the Aruva Nadu and Aruva vadathalai nadu region- East Thirvannamalai and East Vellore dt.
• Punnaadu(12)- East Thiruvannamalai dt .
• VaaNar Nadu(13)- West Vellore and Chittor dt's .
• ThoNdai Nadu (14)- Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur dt's .
• Mukkaaval Nadu (15) - Vellore dt .
• Kaankezhu Nadu (16) or Thirumunaippadi- East Vizhuppuram dt.
• Mudhira malai (17)- Chennai dt .
• Athigan Nadu(18) and its capital Thagadur- Dharmapuri dt .
• Kudhirai malai(19)- West Dharmapuri and East Mandya dt's .
• Payalanadu( Vaiyaavi )(20)- Krishnagiri, Kolar, Anantpur, Bellary dt's .
• VaeLaavi Nadu( Vaengi )(21)-Krishna and Guntur dts.
• Vellimalai(22)- North and West of Thirupathi .
• Vaengada Nadu(23) - Rayalaseema dt .
• Pungi Nadu (24)- West Chittoor dt.
• Mazhampula Nadu (25)- South of Kalahasthi up to Pulicat .
• Pulli Nadu (26) - South East coast of A.P.
• Erumai Nadu (27)- Central and Northwest Mysore dt .
• VeLimaan Nadu (28)-West Mysore
• Oonoor Kosar (29)- Raichur dt .
• Idaichchura Nadu (30) - Raichur dt .
• Irungoe Nadu or Araiya Nadu(31) and Citraraiyam and Paeraraiyam forts- Tumkur and Chitradurga dt's .
• Vichchikoe Nadu(32)- North of Ooty dt .
• Thoatti malai (33) -Ooty dt.
• Kuda Nadu or SengaNmaa Nadu (34) - Coorg dt .
• Kuttuva Nadu (35)- North Malbar dt .
• Cera Paayal malai (36) - North Malabar dt .
• Kadamba Nadu (37) -Hangal, Hampi(Banavasi), Uchchangi,Dharwar dt's and KoNkan coast up to Goa .
• KoNkaana Nadu (38)- Southwest Maharashtra's KoNkan coast, north of Goa .
• Malli Nadu (39)- Udipi dt .
• Karuvoor Chera Nadu (40)- West Karur dt .

Ancient City states

• Naalai city state(41)- Nanguneri, Thirunelveli dt .
• Poandhai city state(42)- Kulachchal, Kanyakumari dt .
• Koodalpattinam- Tootukudi dt .
• Eyilpattinam- North coastal Ramanathapuram dt .
• Pidavoor- Thuraiyur tk., Thiruchchi dt .
• Sirukudi- Thiruchchi dt .
• Kaanappaereyil- North Sivagangai dt.
• Azhunthur(43) - South Salem dt.
• Moagur (44) - South East Naamakkal dt .
• Pazhai Nadu- East Karur and South Namakkal dt's.
• Vallaar- North Pudukottai dt .
• Aali- North Thanjaavoor dt .
• Cellur- North Bangalore dt .
• Eernthur- North Thiruchi dt .

See also

• Tolkappiyam
• Purananuru
• Paripaatal
• Dravidian martial arts
• Tamil chronometry
• Tamil Eelam

The Tolkāppiyam (தொல்காப்பியம் in Tamil) is a work on the grammar of the Tamil language. ... Pura Nanooru or Pura Nanuru is an ancient Tamil Sangam collection of poems, dating from 900 BCE to 220 CE. It is one of the oldest Tamil anthologies. ... Paripaatal (பரிபாடல்), is the fifth book in the Ettuthokai, a Sangam literature anthology. ... // [edit] List of Dravidian Martial Arts by state or province [edit] Kerala Kalarippayattu (ക്അലരിപ്പയത്തു) Marma Adi (മര്മ അദി) [edit] Tamil Nadu & Northeast Sri Lanka Adithada (அடிதட) Kuttu Varisai (குத்துவரிசை) Malyutham (மல்யுதம்) Varma Kalai (வர்மக்கலை) [edit] See also Tamil Martial Arts Categories: | ... // Units of time in Ancient Tamil history: 1 kuzhi(kuRRuzhi)= 6. ... Anthem: Political status      Unrecognized de facto quasi-independent state Languages      Tamil (de facto official) English Capital Trincomalee President Velupillai Prabhakaran[1] Independence (from Sri Lanka) No official declaration   Area           19,509 km² claimed[2] 6,600–9,750 km² administered (40–50% of claimed area) Population (of claimed area) 3...

References