Tamil culture refers to the culture of the Tamil people.

The Tamils speak the Tamil language, one of the oldest languages in India with more
than two thousand years of written history.
Archaeological evidence from the Tamilakam region indicates a continuous history
of human occupation for more than 3,800 years. Historically, the region was
inhabited by Tamil-speaking Dravidian people. It was ruled by various kingdoms
such as the Sangam period (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE) triumverate of
the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas, the Pallavas (3rd–9th century CE), and the
later Vijayanagara Empire (14th–17th century CE). European colonization began in
the 17th century CE, and continued for two centuries until the Indian
Independence in 1947. Due to its long history, the culture has seen multiple
influences over the years and have developed diversely.
The Tamils had outside contact in the form of diplomatic and trade relations with
other kingdoms to the north and with the Romans since the Sangam era. The
conquests of Tamil kings in the 10th century CE resulted in Tamil culture spreading
to South and Southeast Asia. Tamils form the majority in the South Indian state
of Tamil Nadu and a significant portion of northern Sri Lanka. Tamils have migrated
world-wide since the 19th century CE and a significant population exists in Sri
Lanka, South Africa, Mauritius, Fiji, as well as other regions such as the Southeast
Asia, Middle East, Caribbean and parts of the Western World.
The Tamils (/ˈtæmɪlz, ˈtɑː-/ TAM-ilz, TAHM-), also known as the Tamilar, [note 4] are
a Dravidian ethnolinguistic group who natively speak the Tamil language and trace
their ancestry mainly to the southern part of the Indian subcontinent. The Tamil
language is one of the longest-surviving classical languages, with over two
thousand years of written history, dating back to the Sangam period (between 300
BCE and 300 CE). Tamils constitute about 5.7% of the Indian population and form
the majority in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the union
territory of Puducherry. They also form significant proportion of the population in Sri
Lanka (15.3%), Malaysia (7%) and Singapore (5%). Tamils have migrated world-wide
since the 19th century CE and a significant population exists in South
Africa, Mauritius, Fiji, as well as other regions such as the Southeast Asia, Middle
East, Caribbean and parts of the Western World.
Archaeological evidence from Tamil Nadu indicates a continuous history of human
occupation for more than 3,800 years. In the Sangam period, Tamilakam was ruled
by the Three Crowned Kings of the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. Smaller Velir kings
and chieftains ruled certain territories and maintained relationship with the larger
kingdoms. Urbanisation and mercantile activity developed along the coasts during
the later Sangam period with the Tamils influencing the regional trade in the Indian
Ocean region. Artifacts obtained from excavations indicate the presence of
early trade relations with the Romans. The major kingdoms to rule the region later
were the Pallavas (3rd–9th century CE), and the Vijayanagara Empire (14th–17th
century CE).
The island of Sri Lanka often saw attacks from the Indian mainland with the Cholas
establishing their influence across the island and across several areas in Southeast
Asia in the 10th century CE. This led to the spread of Tamil influence and
contributed to the cultural Indianisation of the region. Scripts brought by Tamil
traders like the Grantha and Pallava scripts, induced the development of many
Southeast Asian scripts. The Jaffna Kingdom later controlled the Tamil territory in the
north of the Sri Lanka from 13th to 17th century CE. European colonization began in
the 17th century CE, and continued for two centuries until the middle of the 20th
century.
Due to its long history, the Tamil culture has seen multiple influences over the years
and have developed diversely. The Tamil visual art consists of a distinct style of
architecture, scultpure and other art forms. Tamil sculpture ranges from stone
sculptures in temples, to detailed bronze icons. The ancient Tamil country had its
own system of music called Tamil Pannisai. Tamil performing arts include the theatre
form Koothu, puppetry Bommalattam, classical dance Bharatanatyam, and
various other traditional dance forms. Hindusim is the major religion followed by the
Tamils and the religious practices include the veneration of various village
deities and ancient Tamil gods. A smaller number are also Christians and Muslims,
and a small percentage follow Jainism and Buddhism. Tamil cuisine consist of
various vegetarian and meat items, usually spiced with locally available spices.
Historian Michael Wood called the Tamils the last surviving classical civilization on
Earth, because the Tamils have preserved substantial elements of their past
regarding belief, culture, music, and literature despite the influence of globalization.
[10]

Etymology
[edit]
Tamil is derived from the name of the language.[11] The people are referred to
as Tamiḻar in Tamil language, which is etymologically linked to the name of the
language.[12] The origin and precise etymology of the word Tamil is unclear with
multiple theories attested to it.[13] Kamil Zvelebil suggests that the term tamiz might
have been derived from tam meaning "self" and "-iz" having the connotation of
"unfolding sound". Alternatively, he suggests a derivation of tamiz < tam-iz < *tav-
iz < *tak-iz, meaning "the proper process (of speaking)". [14] Franklin
Southworth suggests that the name comes from tam-miz > tam-iz meaning "self-
speak", or "our own speech".[15]
It is unknown whether the term Tamila and its equivalents in Prakrit such
as Damela, Damila, or Tamira was first used as a self designation or a by outsiders.
The Hathigumpha inscription from Udayagiri in Eastern India dated to the second
century BCE,[16][17] describes a T[r]amira samghata (Confederacy of Tamil rulers),
which was in existence for the previous 113 years. [18] Epigraphical evidence from
the second century BCE mentioning Damela or Dameda from ancient Sri Lanka have
been found.[19] In the Buddhist Jataka texts, there is a mention of a Damila-
rattha (Tamil dynasty).[20][21] Greek historian Strabo (first century BCE) mentions that
the Roman Emperor Augustus received an ambassador from Pandyan of Dramira.
[22]
An inscription from Amaravati dated to third century CE refers to a Dhamila-
vaniya (Tamil trader).[23]
History
[edit]
In India
[edit]
See also: History of Tamil Nadu and Sources of ancient Tamil history
Pre-historic period (before 4th century BCE)
[edit]
Archaeological evidence points to the region being first inhabited by hominids more
than 400 millennia ago.[24][25] Artifacts recovered in Adichanallur by
the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) indicate megalithic urn burials, dating from
back to 1500 BCE.[26][27][28], which are also described in later Tamil literature.
[29]
Neolithic celts with the Indus script dated between 15th and 20th century BCE
indicate the use of early Harappan language.[30][31] Excavations at Keezhadi have
revealed a large urban settlement, with the earliest artefact dated to 580 BCE,
during the time of urbanization in the Indo-Gangetic plain.[32] Further epigraphical
inscriptions found at Adichanallur use Tamil Brahmi, a rudimentary script dated to
5th century BCE.[33] Potsherds uncovered from Keeladi indicate a script which might
be a transition between the Indus Valley script and Tamil Brahmi script used later. [34]
Sangam period (3rd century BCE–3rd century CE)
[edit]
Main article: Sangam period
Further information: Tamilakam, Sangam landscape, and Economy of ancient Tamil
country

Tamilakam during Sangam period

The Sangam period lasted from 3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE with the main
source of history during the period coming from the various Sangam literature.[35]
[36]
Ancient Tamilakam was ruled by a triumvirate of monarchical
states, Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas.[37] These kings are referred to as Vāṉpukaḻ
Mūvar (Three glorified by heaven) in the Sangam literature. [38] The Cheras controlled
the western part of Tamilkam, the Pandyas controlled the south, and the Cholas had
their base in the Kaveri delta.[39][40] They are mentioned in the inscriptions from
the Mauryan Empire dated to third century BCE.[41] Kalinga inscriptions from the
second century BCE refers to a confederacy of the Tamil kingdoms. [42] The three
kings called Vendhar ruled over several hill tribes headed by the Velir chiefs and
settlements headed by clan chiefs called Kizhar.[43] The rulers of smaller territories
were referred to as Kurunilamannar, with Purananuru mentioning the names of
many such chieftains.[44]