Language/Tamil/Culture/Art-and-Music

Tamil Culture → Tamil Culture and Customs → Art and Music

Hello everyone,

In this lesson, we will explore the rich culture of Tamil art and music forms. Tamil Nadu is known for its vibrant traditions, customs, and festivals. Art and music play a significant role in the daily lives of Tamilians, and it has a unique style that is deeply rooted in their culture. Let us dive further into the world of Tamil art and music forms.

Tamil Art

Tamil art has a rich heritage and goes back to the ancient Sangam literature era. It includes a variety of art forms, such as painting, sculpture, and crafts. The Tamil Nadu government has been taking significant efforts to revive and promote these traditional art forms. Here are some of the notable Tamil art forms:

Thanjavur painting

Thanjavur painting is a famous traditional art form of Tamil Nadu, and it originated in the 1600s. The painting is characterized by rich colors, intricate designs, and precious stones. The paintings depict deities, saints, and scenes from mythology. The paintings are primarily made on wooden planks, and they are often adorned with gold foil.

Here's an example of the Thanjavur painting style:

Tamil	Pronunciation	English
தஞ்சாவூர் ஓவியம்	Thanjavur Oviyam	Thanjavur painting

Karagam

Karagam is a folk dance form that is performed in temples during festivals. It is a form of worship to the deity, and it involves carrying a decorated pot. The pot carries offerings for the deity, and the dance symbolizes the carrying of the pot to the temple. The dancers balance the pot on their heads and perform intricate steps and movements.

Here's an example of the Karagam dance:

Tamil	Pronunciation	English
கரகம்	Karakam	Karagam dance

Tamil Music

Tamil music has a rich history, and it has played a significant role in the culture of Tamil Nadu. It comprises classical, folk, and film music. Tamil film music has become popular worldwide and has a huge fan following. Here are some of the notable Tamil music forms:

Carnatic Music

Carnatic music is a classical music form that originated in South India, including Tamil Nadu. The music is based on the seven swaras, or notes, and is performed with a specific rhythm. The performances usually consist of vocalists, instrumentalists, and percussionists. The performances often have a devotional or spiritual context.

Here's an example of a Carnatic music piece:

Tamil	Pronunciation	English
கர்ணாடக இசை	Karnatakai Isai	Carnatic music

Gaana

Gaana is a popular folk music form of Tamil Nadu. It has simple lyrics and a catchy rhythm, and it often involves dance. The songs usually depict social issues, love, and daily life. The music has become very popular in recent times and is often played at weddings and other celebrations.

Here's an example of a Gaana song:

Tamil	Pronunciation	English
கானா பாடல்	Gaana Paadal	Gaana song

I hope you found this lesson informative and interesting. Tamil art and music have a unique style, and it is an integral part of Tamil culture. I would encourage you to explore more about it and deepen your knowledge of Tamil Nadu's rich heritage.

Sources

• Tamil culture - Wikipedia
• Music of Tamil Nadu - Wikipedia
• Exploring the Tamil culture and art - Outlook Traveller

Table of Contents - Tamil Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Tamil Grammar

• Tamil Script and Pronunciation
• Nouns and Pronouns

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Daily Life Vocabulary

• Greetings and Introductions
• Numbers and Time
• Food and Drink
• Family and Relationships
• Travel and Transportation

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Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

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Profession and Work Vocabulary

• Jobs and Professions
• Office and Workplace
• Business Communication

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Tamil Culture and Customs

• Festivals and Celebrations
• Art and Music
• Cuisine and Eating Habits
• Tamil Cinema

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives
• Adverbs

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Health and Fitness Vocabulary

• Body Parts and Symptoms
• Physical Fitness and Exercise

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Cases and Postpositions

• Nominative and Accusative Cases
• Postpositions

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Nature, Environment and Wildlife Vocabulary

• Flora and Fauna
• Environment and Pollution

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Tamil Literature and History

• Sangam Literature
• Chola Empire

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Negation and Interrogation

• Negation
• Interrogation