Portal:Tamils

Portal topics
Activities
Culture
Geography
Health
History
Mathematics
Nature
People
Philosophy
Religion
Society
Technology
Random portal

The Tamils portal

Tamil girl 1907.JPG
The Tamil people, also known as Tamilar (Tamil: தமிழர், romanized: Tamiḻar, pronounced [t̪amiɻaɾ] in the singular or தமிழர்கள், Tamiḻarkaḷ, [t̪amiɻaɾɡaɭ] in the plural), or simply Tamils (/ˈtɑːmɪls/), are a Dravidian ethno-linguistic group who trace their ancestry mainly to India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu, union territory of Puducherry and to Sri Lanka. People who speak Tamil and are born in are considered Tamils. Tamils constitute 5.9% of the population in India (concentrated mainly in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry), 15% in Sri Lanka (excluding Sri Lankan Moors), 7% in Malaysia, and 5% in Singapore.

From the 4th century BCE, urbanisation and mercantile activity along the western and eastern coasts of Tamilakam what is today Kerala and Tamil Nadu led to the development of four large Tamil empires, the Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, and Pallavas and a number of smaller states, all of whom were warring amongst themselves for dominance. The Jaffna Kingdom, inhabited by Sri Lankan Tamils, was once one of the strongest kingdoms of Sri Lanka and controlled much of the north of the island.

Tamils were noted for their influence on regional trade throughout the Indian Ocean. Artefacts marking the presence of Roman traders demonstrate that direct trade was active between Ancient Rome and Southern India, and the Pandyas were recorded as having sent at least two embassies directly to the Roman Emperor Augustus in Rome. The Pandyas and Cholas were historically active in Sri Lanka. The Chola dynasty successfully invaded several areas in southeast Asia, including the powerful Srivijaya and the city-state of Kedah. Medieval Tamil guilds and trading organizations like the Ayyavole and Manigramam played an important role in Southeast Asian trading networks. Pallava traders and religious leaders travelled to Southeast Asia and played an important role in the cultural Indianisation of the region. Scripts brought by Tamil traders to Southeast Asia, like the Grantha and Pallava scripts, induced the development of many Southeast Asian scripts such as Khmer, Javanese, Kawi, Baybayin, and Thai. (Full article...)

Selected article - show another

Enthiran (transl. Robot) is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language science fiction action film written and directed by Shankar. It is the first instalment in the Enthiran film series. The film stars Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with Danny Denzongpa, Santhanam and Karunas in supporting roles. The soundtrack album and background score were composed by A. R. Rahman while the dialogues, cinematography, editing and art direction were handled by Madhan Karky, R. Rathnavelu, Anthony and Sabu Cyril respectively. The story revolves around the struggle of a scientist K. Vaseegaran to control his android humanoid robot named Chitti, after Chitti's software is upgraded to give it the ability to comprehend and exhibit human emotions. The project backfires when Chitti falls in love with Vaseegaran's girlfriend, Sana, and is manipulated by Bohra, a rival scientist, into becoming homicidal.

After being stalled in the development phase for nearly a decade, the film's principal photography began in 2008 and lasted two years. The film marked the debut of Legacy Effects studio (which was responsible for the film's prosthetic make-up and animatronics) in Indian cinema. Enthiran was released worldwide on 1 October 2010. Produced by Kalanithi Maran, it was India's most expensive film up to that point. (Full article...)
List of selected articles

Bharatanatyam dancers (from Tamils)

  • Image 3The Om symbol in Tamil script (from Tamils)

    The Om symbol in Tamil script (from Tamils)

  • Image 4A Malbar temple in Réunion. (from Tamil diaspora)

    A Malbar temple in Réunion. (from Tamil diaspora)

  • Image 5The Brihadeshswara Temple at Thanjavur, also known as the Great Temple, built by Rajaraja Chola I (from Tamils)

    The Brihadeshswara Temple at Thanjavur, also known as the Great Temple, built by Rajaraja Chola I (from Tamils)

  • Image 6Dancing Siva or Nataraja, example of Chola Empire bronze (from Tamils)

    Dancing Siva or Nataraja, example of Chola Empire bronze (from Tamils)

  • Image 8Grey pottery with engravings, Arikamedu, 1st century CE (from Tamils)

    Grey pottery with engravings, Arikamedu, 1st century CE (from Tamils)

  • Image 9A 400 years old hero stone in Salem depicting bull-taming sport Jallikattu. (from Tamils)

    A 400 years old hero stone in Salem depicting bull-taming sport Jallikattu. (from Tamils)

  • Image 10The New York City Metropolitan Area, including Central New Jersey, as well as Long Island and Staten Island in New York, is home to the largest Tamil American population. (from Tamil diaspora)

    The New York City Metropolitan Area, including Central New Jersey, as well as Long Island and Staten Island in New York, is home to the largest Tamil American population. (from Tamil diaspora)

  • Image 11Expatriate Sri Lankan Tamil children in traditional clothes in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (from Tamil diaspora)

    Expatriate Sri Lankan Tamil children in traditional clothes in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (from Tamil diaspora)

  • Image 12Tamil girls dressed in traditional attire, ca. 1870, Tamil Nadu, India. (from Tamils)

    Tamil girls dressed in traditional attire, ca. 1870, Tamil Nadu, India. (from Tamils)

  • Image 13Tamil girls in Malaysia (from Tamil diaspora)

    Tamil girls in Malaysia (from Tamil diaspora)

  • Image 14Megalithic burial urns or jar found in Pomparippu, North Western, Sri Lanka dated to at least five to two centuries before the Common Era. These are similar to Megalithic burial jars found in South India and the Deccan during a similar time frame. (from Tamils)

    Megalithic burial urns or jar found in Pomparippu, North Western, Sri Lanka dated to at least five to two centuries before the Common Era. These are similar to Megalithic burial jars found in South India and the Deccan during a similar time frame. (from Tamils)

  • Image 15The Varaha cave bas relief at Mahabalipuram from 7th century CE (from Tamils)

    The Varaha cave bas relief at Mahabalipuram from 7th century CE (from Tamils)

  • Image 16Distribution of Tamil speakers in South India and Sri Lanka (1981) (from Tamils)

    Distribution of Tamil speakers in South India and Sri Lanka (1981) (from Tamils)

  • Image 17Sri Kamakshi Ambaal temple in Hamm, Germany (from Tamil diaspora)

    Sri Kamakshi Ambaal temple in Hamm, Germany (from Tamil diaspora)

  • Image 18Katar, Tamil dagger which was popular throughout South Asia (from Tamils)

    Katar, Tamil dagger which was popular throughout South Asia (from Tamils)

  • Image 19Tamil woman in traditional attire, c. 1880, Sri Lanka. (from Tamils)

    Tamil woman in traditional attire, c. 1880, Sri Lanka. (from Tamils)

  • Image 20Tamiḻakam during Sangam Period (from Tamils)

    Tamiḻakam during Sangam Period (from Tamils)

  • Image 21Batu Caves temple built by Tamil Malaysians in c. 1880s (from Tamils)

    Batu Caves temple built by Tamil Malaysians in c. 1880s (from Tamils)

  • Image 22The Tamil Chola Empire at its height, 1030 CE (from Tamils)

    The Tamil Chola Empire at its height, 1030 CE (from Tamils)

  • Image 23Sage Agathiyar, one of the contributors of old Tamil literature (from Tamils)

    Sage Agathiyar, one of the contributors of old Tamil literature (from Tamils)

  • Image 24One of the most popular overseas branches of Chennai-based Saravanaa Bhavan, the world's largest Indian vegetarian restaurant chain, is located in Edison, New Jersey, U.S. (from Tamil diaspora)

    One of the most popular overseas branches of Chennai-based Saravanaa Bhavan, the world's largest Indian vegetarian restaurant chain, is located in Edison, New Jersey, U.S. (from Tamil diaspora)

  • Image 25Megalithic sarcophagus burial from Tamil Nadu (from Tamils)

    Megalithic sarcophagus burial from Tamil Nadu (from Tamils)

  • Image 26Tamil people in Medan, Indonesia (from Tamil diaspora)

    Tamil people in Medan, Indonesia (from Tamil diaspora)

  • Image 27Murugan Temple, Sydney (from Tamil diaspora)

    Murugan Temple, Sydney (from Tamil diaspora)

  • Image 28Meenakshi Amman temple, dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, tutelary deity of Madurai city (from Tamils)

    Meenakshi Amman temple, dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, tutelary deity of Madurai city (from Tamils)

  • Image 29 Map of ancient oceanic trade, and ports of Tamilakam (from Tamils)

    Map of ancient oceanic trade, and ports of Tamilakam (from Tamils)

  • Image 30 Virampatnam jewelry from funerary burial, 2nd century BCE, Tamil Nadu (from Tamils)

    Virampatnam jewelry from funerary burial, 2nd century BCE, Tamil Nadu (from Tamils)

  • Image 31Celebrations of Murugan by the Sri Lankan Tamil community in Paris, France (from Tamil diaspora)

    Celebrations of Murugan by the Sri Lankan Tamil community in Paris, France (from Tamil diaspora)

  • Image 32Aiyanar, guardian folk deity of Tamil Nadu (from Tamils)

    Aiyanar, guardian folk deity of Tamil Nadu (from Tamils)

  • Image 33 Souttoukeny jewelry, 2nd century BCE, Tamil Nadu (from Tamils)

    Souttoukeny jewelry, 2nd century BCE, Tamil Nadu (from Tamils)

  • Image 34Erwadi durgah in Ramanathapuram district is a major pilgrimage shrine of the Tamil Muslims. (from Tamils)

    Erwadi durgah in Ramanathapuram district is a major pilgrimage shrine of the Tamil Muslims. (from Tamils)

  • Image 35Tiruvannamalai city and Annamalaiyar temple, Tamil architecture and culture influenced much of Southeast Asia between the 8th to 13th century CE. (from Tamils)

    Tiruvannamalai city and Annamalaiyar temple, Tamil architecture and culture influenced much of Southeast Asia between the 8th to 13th century CE. (from Tamils)

  • Selected biography - show another

    Subramanya Bharathi 1960 stamp of India.jpg
    Subramania Bharathi Commemorative Stamp

    C. Subramania Bharathi (IPA: /ˌsuˈbrəˌmənˈjʌ ˈbɑːˌrʌθi/; born C. Subramaniyan 11 December 1882 – 11 September 1921) was a Tamil writer, poet, journalist, Indian independence activist, social reformer and polyglot. He was bestowed the title "Bharathi" for his excellence in poetry. He was a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry and is considered one of the greatest Tamil literary figures of all time. He is popularly known by his mononymous title "Bharathi/ Bharathiyaar," and also by the other title "Mahakavi Bharathi" ("the great poet Bharathi"). His numerous works included fiery songs kindling patriotism during the Indian Independence movement. He fought for the emancipation of women, against child marriage, vehemently opposed the caste system, and stood for reforming society and religion. He was also in solidarity with Dalits and Muslims.

    Born in Ettayapuram of Tirunelveli district (present-day Thoothukudi) in 1882, Bharathi had his early education in Tirunelveli and Varanasi and worked as a journalist with many newspapers, including The Hindu, Bala Bharata, Vijaya, Chakravarthini, the Swadesamitran and India. In 1908, an arrest warrant was issued against Bharathi by the government of British India caused him to move to Pondicherry where he lived until 1918. (Full article...)
    List of selected biographies
    Select [►] to view subcategories

    Select [►] to view subcategories

    Related indigenous Groups: BadagasTodaKuruba


    See also: List of Tamil people, Tamil script, Tamil Script Code for Information Interchange


    State
    symbols
    Governance
    Topics
    Major cities
    Districts
    Lists

    Related portals

    WikiProjects

    WikiProjects
    • WikiProject Tamil civilization
    • WikiProject Tamil Nadu
    • WikiProject Classical Tamil
    • WikiProject Chennai
    • WikiProject Pondicherry

    Things to do

    Things you can do
    • Add {{portal|Tamil People}} to the See also section of Tamil People-related articles.
    • Tag the talk pages of Tamil People-related articles with {{WikiProject Tamil civilization/Welcome}}
    • Join WikiProject Tamil civilization and list yourself as a Participant in the project.

    Associated Wikimedia

    The following Wikimedia Foundation sister projects provide more on this subject:

  • Biography portal
  • Current events portal
  • Geography portal
  • History portal
  • Mathematics portal
  • Science portal
  • Society portal
  • Technology portal
  • Random portal
  • WikiProject Portals
  • Purge server cache




    This page was last updated at 2023-05-14 03:01 UTC. Update now. View original page.

    All our content comes from Wikipedia and under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.


    Top

    If mathematical, chemical, physical and other formulas are not displayed correctly on this page, please useFirefox or Safari