Tamil Nadu
This article has been sourced from an authoritative, official readers who wish to update or add further details can do so on a ‘Part II’ of this article. |
Contents |
The source of this article
INDIA 2012
A REFERENCE ANNUAL
Compiled by
RESEARCH, REFERENCE AND TRAINING DIVISION
PUBLICATIONS DIVISION
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Tamil Nadu
Area : 1,30,058 sq km
Population : 6,24,05,679 (2001 Census)
Capital : Chennai
Principal Language : Tamil
HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY
Tamil Nadu has a hoary antiquity. Though early sangam classics throw historical references it is only from the Pallavas we pass to recorded history.
South India had remained under the hegemony of the Cholas, the Cheras and the Pandyas for centuries. The Pallavas held supremacy from about the second quarter of the fourth century AD. They were the originators of the famous Dravidian style of temple architecture. The last Pallava ruler was Aparajita in whose reign the later Cholas under Vijayalaya and Aditya asserted themselves by about the 10th century. At the end of the 11th century, Tamil Nadu was ruled by several dynasties like the Chalukyas, Cholas and Pandyas. In the two centuries that followed, the imperial Cholas gained paramountcy over South India.
Muslims gradually strengthened their position, which led to the establishment of the Bahamani Sultanate, by the middle of the 14th century. At the same time, the Vijayanagar Kingdom quickly consolidated itself and extended its sway over the whole of South India and at the close of the century, Vijayanagar became the supreme power in South. However, it crumbled at the battle of Talikota in 1564 to the confederate forces of the Deccan Sultans.
Even during the period of the tumultuous confusion that followed the battle of Talikota, European commercial interest had appeared as rivals in the area of South India. The Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and the English came in quick succession and established trading centres known as ‘Factories.’ East India Company which had established their factory at Masulipatnam, now in Andhra Pradesh, in 1611 gradually annexed territories by encouraging enmity among the native rulers.
Tamil Nadu was one of the first of British settlements in India. The State is the successor to the old Madras Presidency which in 1901 covered the bulk of the southern peninsula. The composite Madras State was later reorganised and the present Tamil Nadu was formed.
Tamil Nadu is bounded on north by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, on west by Kerala, on east by the Bay of Bengal and on south by the Indian Ocean.
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is the major occupation in Tamil Nadu. The total cultivated area in the State was 58.15 lakhs hectare. The principal food crops include paddy, millets and pulses. Commercial crops include sugarcane, cotton, sunflower, coconut, cashew, chillies, gingelly and groundnut. Plantation crops are tea, coffee, cardamom and rubber. Major forest produces are timber, sandalwood, pulp wood and fuel wood. Tamil Nadu occupies a premier position in the production and extensive application of bio-fertilizers. Efforts are on to improve farming technologies so as to increase yields in the low rainfall areas of the State.
INDUSTRY AND MINERALS
Major Industries in the State are cotton, heavy commercial vehicles, auto components, railway coaches, power pumps, leather tanning industries, cement, sugar, paper, automobiles and safety matches.
Knowledge based industries like I.T. and Biotechnology have become the thrust area in the industrial scene in Tamil Nadu. TIDEL, a software technology park, has been established in Tharamani, Chennai. Top I.T. and Telecom companies such as Nokia, Motorola, Foxcon, Flextronic and Dell have commenced production. Global auto majors Hyundai Motors, Ford, Hindustan Motors and Mitsubishi have commenced production plants. Ashok Leyland and TAFE have set up expansion plants in Chennai.
Main mineral wealth of the State are granite, lignite and limestone. The State is an important exporter of tanned skin and leather goods, yarn, tea, coffee, spices, engineering goods, tobacco, handicrafts and black granite. Tamil Nadu contributes to 60 per cent of the tannery industry in India.
IRRIGATION
Important irrigation schemes and modernisation of existing Periyar Vaigai System, Palar Basin System and Parambikulam-Aliyar System besides the minor system in Vellar, Pennayar, Araniyar Amaravathi, Chithar basins totalling an extent of six lakh acres of existing ayacut in Tamil Nadu have been benefited by implementing the ‘System Improvement and Farmers Turnover Projects’ executed with assistance from World Bank. The World Bank has also approved Rs. 2,547 crore for the Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration Management Project. The Project covers about 6,17 lakh ha. in 63 selected sub-basins throughout the State.
Nine irrigation projects which were just started and going on a slow progress have been speeded up with adequate fund and guidance for early completion. The major irrigation system covering one-third of irrigated extent in Tamil Nadu, namely tank irrigation system has been given due regard for development under WRCP and 620 tanks maintained by Public Works Department falling under Palar, Vaigai and Tamaraparani Basins have been taken up for rehabilitation and improvement. This project is nearing completion to the maximum satisfaction of the farmers. This State has become the pioneer State to implement the system of ‘River basin management’ by an individual body consisting of officials and farmers besides various representatives of the basin.
POWER
The total installed capacity of electricity in the State is 10,214 MW. The installed capacity of State Sector is 5,690 MW and that of Private Sector is 1,180 MW. Apart from this 2825 MW is available as share from Central Sector, 305 MW is obtained from external assistance and 214 MW from Captive Power Plants. Apart from this wind mills from the private sector provide 4270 MW and 466.10 MW is received from co-generation plants and 109.55 MW from Bio-mass plants.
TRANSPORT
Roads : The length of roads network in Tamil Nadu is 61,641 km.
Railways: The total length of railways is 3,927 km and the main junction stations are Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Salem, Erode and Arakkonam.
Aviation: Chennai being the international airport in the southern region, is the main centre of airline routes. Besides, there are airports at Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Coimbatore and Salem.
Ports: Major ports in the State are Chennai, Egmore and Tuticorin. There are seven other minor ports including Cuddalore and Nagapattinam.
FESTIVALS
Pongal is the harvest festival celebrated by the farmers in January to worship the sun, the earth and the cattle as thanks giving for a bounteous harvest. Pongal is followed by the Jallikattu-Bull fight, Tamil Nadu style in some parts of southern Tamil Nadu. Alanganallur in Tamil Nadu is internationally famous for Jallikattu- Bull fight. Chithirai festival, Madurai: Madurai brings a spectacular re-enactment of the marriage of the Pandiyan princess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar.
Adipperukku is a festival celebrated on the 18th day of Tamil month, Adi, on the banks of rivers. It marks the commencement of new farming operations. A truly secular festival - where devotees flock to the shrine of saint Quadirwali. One of the descendants of the Saint is chosen as a Peer or spiritual leader and is honoured with offerings. On the tenth day of the festival, the Saint’s tomb is anointed with sandalwood and later the holy sandal paste is distributed to everyone. Velankanni festival : Wondrous legends surround the church, the most famous being that of the ship wrecked Portuguese sailors, who in the 16th century, vowed to build a great shrine for Virgin Mary, for saving their lives from a terrible storm. The Velankanni festival attracts thousands, clad in orange robes to the sacred spot where the ship landed. Equally famous are the Virgin Mary's miraculous healing powers - earning for the church the name 'Lourdes of the East'. Navarathiri festival : Literally, this means the festival of ‘nine nights’ taking unique and different forms in different States of India - all to propitiate the goddess Sakthi, for power, wealth and knowledge. Music Festival : In December Chennai celebrates her priceless heritage of carnatic music and dance to present a galaxy of star artists, old and new.
Aadi Perukku
Deepa H. Ramakrishnan, August 1, 2016: The Hindu
From: Deepa H. Ramakrishnan, August 1, 2016: The Hindu
Water brings fresh hope to farmers, happiness to families, and joy to newly-weds. Aadi Perukku is a celebration of all that.
It holds promise of good times ahead when the harshness of the sun is reduced and the winds are favourable.
Water in the river is about culture too. Residents living along rivers watch the gushing waters, eat kootaanchoru (mixed rice), and enjoy the day, so much so that districts along the Cauvery declare local holiday on that day. “Traditionally, the Cauvery perukku that has found mention in the Silapathikaram too, is a time when newly weds bathe in the waters, change their thali ( mangalsutra) threads and leave the old threads in the water,” says writer Ravikumar.
Mythologically, it is believed that the Cauvery rushes to meet her daughter Sri Mahalakshmi, who rises from the ocean.
Mention in the novel Ponniyin Selvan
Kalki R. Krishnamurthy’s historical novel, Ponniyin Selvan, opens with the hero Vandhiyathevan riding along and admiring the huge Veera Narayana Eri (now known as Veeranam lake) that was created by Rajadithya Chola and named after his father Paranthaka –I.
The opening scenes describe how people in the area celebrate the festival watching the swirling waters of the Cauvery empty into the vast lake through the Vadavaaru. “The story starts at Veeranam, which the northern frontier of the Chola kingdom. Kalki wanted to bring to light the greatness of Rajaraja Chola…and to take history to the common man in an acceptable form. Even today, his book is a best seller,” says Pavithra Srinivasan, who has translated Ponniyin Selvan into English.
After the lake, the hero in the novel travels along with the Vaishnavite Alwarkadiyan to the Veera Narayana Perumal temple or Kattumannarkoil near Chidambaram, which is the birthplace of Nathamunigal, the Srivaishnava saint who re-introduced Naalayira Divya Prabandham to the world.
Swethakumar, managing director, Lakshmivilas Heritage Hotel, who is a fan of Kalki, says that all the places, including Kadambur and Pazhayarai, mentioned in Kalki’s work exist. “We began the tour as our property is very close to the Veeranam lake. Many devotees, who come to the Veera Narayana Perumal temple actually take a Ponniyin Selvan tour. You can finish these six or seven spots in a day,” he explained.
TOURIST CENTRES
Chennai, Mamallapuram, Poompuhar, Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam, Dharasuram, Chidambaram, Tiruvannamalai, Srirangam, Madurai, Rameswaram, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, Thanjavur, Velankanni, Nagoor, Chithannavasal, Kazhugumalai (monument centres), Courtallam, Hogenakkal, Papanasam, Suruli (waterfalls), Ooty (Udhagamandalam), Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Elagiri Kolli Hills (hill stations), Guindy (Chennai), Mudumalai, Annamalai, Mundanthurai, Kalakad (wild life sanctuaries), Vedanthangal and Point Calimere (bird sanctuaries), Arignar Anna Zoological Park, near Chennai, are some of the places of tourist interest.
GOVERNMENT
Governor : Dr. K. Rosaiah
Chief Secretary : Thiru Debendranath Sarangi
Chief Minister : Sushree Dr J Jayalalithaa
Jurisdiction of High Court: Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
AREA, POPULATION AND HEADQUARTERS OF DISTRICTS
S. No. District Area (sq km) Population Headquarters (2001 Census)
1. Chennai 174 43,43,645 Chennai
2. Kancheepuram 4,307 28,77,468 Kancheepuram
3. Thiruvallur 3,550 27,54,756 Thiruvallur
4. Vellore 6,077 34,77,317 Vellore
5. Thiruvannamalai 6,190 21,86,125 Thiruvannamalai
6. Cuddalore 3,706 22,85,395 Cuddalore
7. Villupuram 7,190 29,60,373 Villupuram
8. Salem 5,425 30,16,346 Salem
9. Namakkal 3,404 14,93,462 Namakkal
10. Dharmapuri 9,622 28,56,300 Dharmapuri
11. Pudukottai 4,651 14,59,601 Pudukottai
12. Erode 8,209 25,81,500 Erode
13. The Nilgiris 2,549 7,62,141 Udhagamandalam
14. Coimbatore 7,469 42,71,856 Coimbatore
15. Tiruchirappalli 4,511 24,18,366 Tiruchirappalli
16. Karur 2,901 9,35,686 Karur
17. Perambalur 1,750 4,93,646 Perambalur
18. Ariyalur 1,944 6,95,524 Ariyalur
19. Thanjavur 3,476 22,16,138 Thanjavur
20. Nagapattinam 2,417 14,88,839 Nagapattinam
21. Thiruvarur 2,377 11,69,474 Thiruvarur
22. Madurai 3,696 25,78,201 Madurai
23. Theni 2,869 10,93,950 Theni
24. Dindigul 6,058 19,23,014 Dindigul
25. Ramanathapuram 4,175 11,87,604 Ramanathapuram
26. Sivagangai 4,143 11,55,356 Sivagangai
27. Virudhunagar 4,283 17,51,301 Virudhunagar
28. Tirunelveli 6,810 27,23,988 Tirunelveli
29. Thoothukudi 4,621 15,72,273 Thoothukudi
30. Kanniyakumari 1,684 16,76,034 Nagercoil
31. Tiruppur 4719.85 19,17,033 Tiruppur
Tamil Nadu state anthem, ‘Tamil Thai Vaazhthu
Arun Janardhanan, The Indian Express, October 18, 2024
The Tamil state anthem, known as ‘Tamil Thai Vaazhthu (Praise to Mother Tamil)’, holds a central place in Tamil Nadu’s cultural and political identity. Written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar in 1891, it was originally intended as an invocation to precede his play Manonmaniam. The anthem soon became a rallying cry for Tamil pride and identity, especially in a region where Dravidian ideology, emphasizing self-respect and opposition to Brahmanical hegemony, took root in the early 20th century. In June 1970, the anthem was officially declared the state song of Tamil Nadu.
After coming to power in December 2021, the Stalin government issued a Government Order declaring ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ the state song, mandating that everyone except the differently-abled stand during its rendition at public events. This decision followed a Madras High Court ruling saying that there was no legal requirement for one to stand during the song, considering it as a prayer rather than an anthem.
The lyrics include ‘Thekkanamum Adhilsirandha Dravida Nal Thirunaadum’, or ‘The Greatest Nation Down South in the Dravidian Lands’
The state of the State
2016
Amarnath K. Menon , The Amma of all questions , “India Today” 13/11/2016
