Tamil Nadu
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Tamil Nadu, state of India, located in the
extreme south of the subcontinent. It is
bounded by the Indian Ocean to the east
and south and by the states of Kerala to
the west, Karnataka (formerly Mysore)
to the northwest, and Andhra Pradesh to
the north. Enclosed by Tamil Nadu along
the north-central coast are the enclaves
of Puducherry and Karaikal, both of
which are part of Puducherry union
territory. The capital is Chennai (Madras),
on the coast in the northeastern portion
of the state.
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Mamallapuram Shore Temple
Mamallapuram Shore Temple, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Tamil Nadu represents the Tamil-speaking area
of what was formerly the Madras Presidency of
British India. The Tamils are especially proud of
their Dravidian language and culture, and they
have notably resisted attempts by the central
government to make Hindi (an Indo-Aryan
language) the sole national language. While it
has an industrial core in Chennai, the state is
essentially agricultural. Area 50,216 square miles
(130,058 square km). Pop. (2011) 72,138,958.
Land
Relief,
drainage,
and soils
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Tamil Nadu is divided naturally between the flat
country along the eastern coast and the hilly
regions in the north and west. The broadest part
of the eastern plains is the fertile Kaveri (Cauvery)
River delta; farther south are the arid flatlands
surrounding the
cities of Ramanathapuram and Madurai (Madura)
. The high peaks of the Western Ghats run along
the state’s western border.
various segments of this mountain range—
including the Nilgiri, Anaimalai, and Palni hills—
have peaks exceeding 8,000 feet (2,400 metres) in
elevation. Anai Peak, at 8,842 feet (2,695 metres) in
the Anaimalai Hills, is the highest mountain in
peninsular India. The lower peaks of the Eastern
Ghats and their outliers—locally called the Javadi,
Kalrayan, and Shevaroy hills—run through the
centre of the region. Tamil Nadu’s major rivers—
the Kaveri, the Ponnaiyar, the Palar, the Vaigai,
and the Tambraparni—flow eastward from the
inland hills.
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Mahabalipuram , tamil
nadu , india - oasis
Apart from the rich alluvial soil of the
river deltas, the predominant soils of the
state are clays, loams, sands, and red
laterites (soils with a high content of iron
oxides and aluminum hydroxide). The
black cotton-growing soil known as
regur is found in parts of the central,
west-central, and southeastern regions of
Tamil Nadu. This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY.
black sand
Black sand on a beach near
Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu,
India.
Climate
The climate of Tamil Nadu is essentially tropical. In May and
June, the hottest months, maximum daily temperatures
in Chennai average about 100 °F (38 °C), while minimum
temperatures average in the low 80s F (upper 20s C). In
December and January, the coolest months, temperatures
usually rise from about 70 °F (21 °C) into the mid-80s F (about 30
°C) daily. The average annual precipitation, falling mainly
between October and December, depends on the southwest
and northeast monsoons and ranges between 25 and 75 inches
(630 and 1,900 mm) a year. The mountainous and hilly areas,
especially in the extreme western part of the state, receive the
most precipitation, while the lower-lying southern and
southeastern regions receive the least rainfall.
Plant and animal
life
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Forests cover roughly 15 percent of the state. At the
highest elevations in the Western Ghats, the
mountains support subalpine vegetation. Along the
eastern side of the Western Ghats and in the hills of
the northern and central districts, the plant life is a
mixture of evergreen and deciduous species, some
of which are markedly adapted to arid conditions.
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Tamil Nadu has several national parks and more than a dozen
wildlife and bird sanctuaries. Among the most notable of these
protected areas are the Mudlumbai Wildlife Sanctuary and National
Park in the Nilgiri Hills and the large Indira Gandhi Wildlife
Sanctuary and National Park at the southern tip of the Western
Ghats. These sanctuaries provide a safe habitat for a broad spectrum
of fauna, including elephants, gaurs (wild cattle),
Nilgiri tahrs (goatlike mammals), wild boars, sloth bears, and various
species of deer. Tigers, leopards, and an assortment of primates,
including macaques, langurs, and lorises, also inhabit these areas.
Venomous king cobras are among the many species of reptiles that
make their home in Tamil Nadu. Woodpeckers and flycatchers are
common woodland birds; aquatic birds find a haven at the
Vedantangal sanctuary in the south-central part of the state.
People
Population composition
The area’s population evidently has changed little over
the centuries. As speakers of a Dravidian language,
the Tamils, who constitute the majority of the
population, are understood to be descendants of the
early inhabitants of India (the so-called Dravidians),
who were driven southward between about 2000 and
1500 BCE when the Aryans (speakers of Indo-Aryan
languages) descended into the Indian subcontinent. In
addition to the Tamils, the population includes
various indigenous communities, who live primarily in
the hill regions; these people also speak Dravidian
languages.
In Tamil Nadu, as in the rest of the country,
the caste system is strong, even
though discrimination has been banned by the
constitution of India. Members of Scheduled Castes
(an official category embracing those groups that
traditionally occupy low positions within the caste
system) account for about one-fifth of the
population. Scheduled Tribes (those indigenous
peoples who fall outside the caste hierarchy)
account for just a small fraction of Tamil Nadu’s
residents.
Tamil, the official state language, is spoken
by most of the people. Other Dravidian
languages used within the state
include Telugu, which is spoken by roughly
one-tenth of the population, as well
as Kannada and Malayalam, which are
spoken by much smaller numbers. In the
western region—near the convergence of
the borders of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,
and Kerala—Kannada (and
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its dialect Badaga) and Malayalam are
stronger. There also is
a community of Urdu (an Indo-Aryan
language) speakers. English is used as a
subsidiary language.
The overwhelming majority of Tamil
Nadu’s residents practice Hinduism. There
are, however, notable minorities
of Christians and Muslims, with a large
concentration of Christians in the far
southern segment of the state. A small
community of Jains is found in northern
Tamil Nadu, in and around the cities
of Arcot and Chennai.
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Although Tamil Nadu is one of the most urbanized
states of India, more than half the population in
the early 21st century continued to live in rural
areas. The Chennai metropolitan region, covering
the industrial areas, townships, and villages
surrounding Chennai city, has the largest
population. Other important urban
agglomerations include Coimbatore in western
Tamil Nadu, Madurai in the south-central region,
and Tiruchchirappalli in the central part of the
state.
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Agriculture,
fishing, and
forestry
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Agriculture is the mainstay of life for about half the
working population of Tamil Nadu. Since very
early times, Tamil farmers have skillfully
conserved scarce rainwater in small and large
irrigation reservoirs, or “tanks.” Government
canals, tube wells, and ordinary wells also form
part of the irrigation system. Because several of
the river valley projects depend for water on rain
brought by the erratic northeast monsoon, the
government also taps subsoil water sources.
Agricultural practices have shown radical improvement
since the mid-20th century through multiple cropping, the
use of stronger and more productive strains of staple
crops, and the application of chemical fertilizers; since the
late 1960s the state has been self-sufficient in the
production of food grains. The principal crops for
domestic consumption are rice, millet, and other cereals,
as well as peanuts (groundnuts) and pulses (such as
chickpeas); sugarcane, cotton, cashews, and chilies are
important cash crops. Many farmers in Tamil Nadu also
raise livestock, primarily cows (especially for the dairy
industry), poultry, goats, and sheep.
Tamil Nadu is one of India’s top fish
producers, with most of the yield coming from
marine operations, although there also are
many inland fisheries. In addition, the state
has an active forestry sector, with pulpwood,
babul (a type of acacia that yields valuable
tannin), firewood, bamboo, and teak among
the primary products. Rubber, grown largely
in plantations, is important as well.
Resources and
power
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The major minerals mined in Tamil Nadu are
limestone, bauxite, gypsum, lignite (brown coal),
magnesite, and iron ore. The opencast lignite mine
at Neyveli, in the north-central part of the state, is
among the largest in India, and its products are
used to fuel a thermal-power plant that provides
much of the state’s electricity. The bulk of Tamil
Nadu’s energy comes from thermal stations, but
hydroelectric plants—especially along the Kaveri
River and its tributaries—provide an important
secondary source of energy. The state also is a
leader in wind-power generation.
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Tamil Nadu is one of the most industrialized of
the Indian states, and the manufacturing
sector accounts for more than one-third of the
state’s gross product. Production of heavy
vehicles—such as automobiles, agricultural
equipment, military vehicles, and railway
cars—is among the state’s major industries;
the railway-coach factory at Perambur (near
Chennai) is one of the largest in Asia.
There is an oil refinery and petrochemical plant in
Chennai. Other prominent manufacturing activities
include textile milling, food processing, and the
production of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and
electronic parts and equipment. Tamil Nadu also is
rich in handicrafts, most notably brass, bronze, and
copper ware, leather work, handloomed
silk, kalamkari (hand-painted fabric, using natural
dyes), and articles fashioned from carved wood,
palm leaf, and cane.
Services
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The services sector has grown especially rapidly
since the late 20th century, and by the early 21st
century it had become the largest contributor to
Tamil Nadu’s economy. Expansion of the
information-technology industry has been a
priority of the state’s economic development
policies. Tourism also has been an area of
emphasis, with ongoing improvements
in infrastructure, accommodations, restaurants,
and cultural and recreational attractions. This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY.
Transportation
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The transport system of the southern
Indian states converges on Chennai.
A well-developed road network
makes express bus service available
to all major towns and places of
interest. Many railways also run
through the state.
Two of India’s major seaports are located in
Tamil Nadu—in the north at Chennai and in the
south at Tuticorin. The international airport at
Meenambakkam, near Chennai, is one of the
largest airports in India. Domestic flights are
available from a number of other cities,
including Madurai, Coimbatore, and Tuticorin;
the airport at Tiruchchirappalli offers domestic
and limited international service. This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY.
Government
And Society
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Constitutional framework
The structure of the government of Tamil Nadu,
like that of most other states of India, is
determined by the national constitution of 1950. The
head of state is the governor, who is appointed
by the president of India. The governor is aided
and advised by the Council of Ministers, which is
led by a chief minister and is responsible to the
elected unicameral Legislative Assembly (Vidhan
Sabha). Most of the ministries are housed in the
17th-century Fort St. George in Chennai.
The state’s judiciary is headed by the High
Court in Chennai (Madras High Court), which
has original jurisdiction for the city and
appellate jurisdiction for the state; the High
Court also may hear original cases of an
extraordinary nature from other parts of Tamil
Nadu. A bench of the High Court is located in
Madurai. Lower courts include district and
sessions courts, magistrates’ courts,
and munsifs’ (subordinate judicial officers’) courts.
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The state is divided into more than two
dozen administrative districts, each
administered by a district collector. Lower
administrative and revenue units are
called talukas, firkas, and
villages. Panchayats (village councils) are
responsible for local self-government and
rural development.
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The medical needs of Tamil Nadu’s population
are served by a large number of public and
private hospitals, dispensaries, and primary
health centres. Allopathic (Western), Ayurvedic
and Siddha (traditional Indian), Unanī (a
Muslim system using prescribed herbs and
shrubs), and homeopathic medical treatments
are all recognized and supported by the
government and are available throughout the
state.
Among Tamil Nadu’s primary health
concerns
are cholera, malaria, filariasis (disease
caused by infestation of the blood and
tissues by parasitic worms),
and HIV/AIDS infection. The state has
largely brought leprosy under control,
although thousands of cases are still
treated annually.
Various government agencies sponsor
programs to improve the housing,
education, and economic status of the
Scheduled Castes and other traditionally
disadvantaged groups. The state also
provides assistance to women, children,
and people with disabilities. A special
insurance program is available for those
with autism, cerebral palsy, and other
developmental disabilities.
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Tens of thousands of public and private primary,
middle, and high schools are scattered across the state
of Tamil Nadu. In addition, there are numerous arts
and science colleges, medical colleges, engineering
colleges, polytechnic institutes, and industrial training
institutes. Among the most prominent of Tamil Nadu’s
universities are the University of Madras (1857) and
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences
University (1989), both in Chennai, Annamalai
University (1929) in Chidambaram; Tamil Nadu
Agricultural University (1971) in Coimbatore; and
Madurai Kamaraj University (1966) in Madurai.
The Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha (1918) in
Chennai and the Gandhigram Rural University
(1956) in Gandhigram, in southwest-central Tamil
Nadu, are the two institutes of national importance
that are engaged in popularizing the Hindi
language and Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of
rural higher education, respectively. Tamil
University (1981) near Thanjavur (Tanjore), in the
eastern part of the state, focuses on the study
of Tamil language, literature, and culture.
Cultural Life
Cultural milieu
Hinduism lies at the core of the culture of Tamil Nadu.
Among the most famous of the state’s temples, which
number in the tens of thousands, are the 7th- and 8th-
century structures at Mamallapura, which were
designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
The gopurams, or gateway towers, of such temples are
dominant in most towns,
particularly Chidambaram, Kanchipuram, Thanjavur, Ma
durai, and the Srirangam pilgrimage centre
in Tiruchchirappalli. The Hindu Religious and Charitable
Endowments Administration Department is responsible
for the administration of the state’s temples and
sanctuaries.
Shore Temple;
Tamil Nadu, India
The Shore Temple
at
Mamallapuram,
also called
Mahabalipuram
or Seven
Pagodas, in Tamil
Nadu, India.
The cycle of temple festivals attracts large
congregations of devotees. Noteworthy also are
the car festivals, during which large chariots
decorated with religious icons are taken in
procession around the temple. In addition, Tamil
Nadu is scattered with sectarian monastic
institutions, or mathas—of which the most
important are the Shankara Matha
at Kumbakonam and the Vaishnava compound at
Srirangam—which hold various activities; Hindu
families typically owe allegiance to a number of
such institutions.
The arts
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Bharata natyam, one of India’s major classical
dance forms, and Karnatak music (South
Indian classical music) are both widely
practiced. Painting and sculpture are less
prominent, although there are schools that
teach the art of sculpture in stone and
bronze. Tamil literature rapidly adopted the
Western literary forms of the novel and
the short story.
The poet Subrahmanya Bharati (1882–1921)
was one of the first to modify traditional
Tamil poetry by blending popular and
scholastic literary styles. Motion pictures are
the most prevalent form of mass
entertainment. There are both touring and
permanent movie theatres, and sentimental
and spectacular films, often featuring music
and dancing, are produced by the film studios
situated largely around Chennai.
Meenakshi Amman
Temple
Carved figures on a
tower gate of the
Meenakshi Amman
(Minakshi-
Sundareshwara)
Temple, Madurai,
Tamil Nadu, India.
Media and
publishing
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Hundreds of periodicals are
published in Tamil, most of them daily
newspapers. The Dina Thanthi is the
leading paper. Among English
newspapers, The Hindu of Chennai is
widely read and is respected for its
high standard of journalism.
History
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The history of Tamil Nadu begins with the
establishment of a trinity of Tamil powers in the
region—namely, the Chera, Chola,
and Pandya kingdoms—all of which are of
unknown antiquity. These kingdoms enjoyed
diplomatic and trade relations with distant lands.
The Pandyas were mentioned in Greek
literature dating to the 4th century BCE, and in the
4th century CE, the Roman
emperor Julian welcomed a Pandyan embassy.
Meanwhile, the Chera dynasty cultivated a
flourishing trade with western Asia.
From the mid-6th century until the 9th century,
the Chalukyas of Badami, the Pallavas of Kanchi
(now Kanchipuram), and the Pandyas of Madurai fought
a long series of wars in the region. The period,
nonetheless, was marked by a revival of Hinduism and
the advance of the fine arts. From about 850, Tamil Nadu
was dominated by the Cholas, of whom Rajendrachola
Deva I (reigned 1014–44) was the most distinguished ruler.
In the mid-14th century, the Hindu kingdom
of Vijayanagar, which included all of Tamil Nadu, came
into prominence. During the 300 years of Vijayanagar
rule, Telugu-speaking governors and officials were
introduced in the administration. This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC.
Nandi bull,
Gangakondacholapuram
Temple,
Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu,
India
Jinji: fortess, Tamil Nadu, India
In 1640 the East India Company of England opened a trading post
at the fishing village of Madraspatnam (now Chennai) with the
permission of the local ruler. The history of Tamil Nadu from the
mid-17th century to 1946 is the story of the British-
controlled Madras Presidency in relationship to the rise and fall
of British power in India. After Indian independence in 1947, the
Madras Presidency became Madras state. The state’s Telugu-
speaking areas were separated to form part of the new state
of Andhra Pradesh in 1953. In 1956 Madras was divided further,
with some areas going to the new state of Kerala and other
areas becoming part of Mysore (now Karnataka). What
remained of Madras state was renamed Tamil Nadu in 1968.
Kanniyakumari:
memorial to
Mohandas K.
Gandhi
Memorial to
Mohandas K.
Gandhi at
Kanniyakumari,
Tamil Nadu, India.
