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Adichanallur
Adichanallur is an archaeological site near Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, India. The town is known locally as Aathichanallur, and has been the site of a number of very important archeological digs.
In 2004, a number of skeletons dating from around 3,800 years ago were found buried in earthenware urns. More than 160 urns have been found. These urns also contained writing, which according to some ASI archaeologists, is "very rudimentary" Tamil Brahmi.
Later, a three-tier burial system was discovered in which earlier generations were buried in urns at 10 feet depth and recent ones above them. Soon the habitation site of the people who were buried was also discovered recently.
Analyzing the habitation site, it was understood that people lived in a fortified town and it had a separate potters quarters. There was also evidence of industrial activity and archaeologists think that it was a crowded busy town. Sherds were also found with writings in Tamil-Brahmi scripts.
New initiative involves setting up of site museums. Efforts are on to set up museums in the very places from where significant objects are excavated, the ASI has a huge collection of materials like urns excavated from Adichanallur. At present, they are lying in Chennai. The idea is to set up a museum in Adichanallur itself and putting on display whatever had been excavated from there.
wn.com/Adichanallur -
Adyar River
Coordinates: 13°00′49″N 80°15′56″E / 13.01367°N 80.26559°E / 13.01367; 80.26559 Adyar (Tamil: அடையார்) or Adayar, originating near the Chembarambakkam Lake in Chengalpattu district, is one of the two rivers which winds through Chennai (Madras), South India, and joins the Bay of Bengal at the Adyar Estuary. The 42.5 km-long river contributes to the estuarine ecosystem of Chennai. Despite the high pollution levels, boating and fishing take place in this river. The river takes in surplus water from about 50 tanks and lakes, small streams and the rainwater drains in the city. Most of the waste from the city is drained into this river and the Cooum.
Adyar river starts from Malaipattu tank (80.00° latitude and 12.93° longitude) near Manimangalam village in Sriperumbudur Taluk at about 15 km west of Tambaram near Chennai. It starts to appear as a stream only from the point where water from Chembarambakkam lake joins the river. It flows through Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chennai district for about 42.5 km before joining the Bay of Bengal in Adyar, Chennai. Here it forms an estuary, which extends from the Adyar Bridge to the sandbar at the edge of the sea, with some small islets in-between. The estuary covering an area of about 300 acres was made a protected wildlife reserve in 1987.
wn.com/Adyar_River -
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh /ˌɑːndrə prəˈdɛʃ/ is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the country's southeastern coast. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city is Hyderabad. Andhra Pradesh lies between 12°41' and 22°N latitude and 77° and 84°40'E longitude, and is bordered by Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Orissa in the north, the Bay of Bengal in the east, Tamil Nadu to the south and Karnataka to the west.
Andhra Pradesh has the second-longest coastline of 972 km (604 mi) among the states of India. Two major rivers, the Godavari and the Krishna, run across the state. The small enclave (30 square kilometres (12 sq mi)) of Yanam, a district of Pondicherry, lies in the Godavari delta in the northeast of the state. The state is separated into three regions: Telangana, Andhra, and Rayalaseema.
The primary official language of Andhra Pradesh is Telugu and the co-official language is Urdu. Other languages often spoken in the state include Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Kannada, and Oriya.
wn.com/Andhra_Pradesh -
Andipatti
Andipatti (Tamil: ஆண்டிபட்டி) is a town in Theni district in Tamil Nadu state in southern India. It is on the bank of vaigai river with rich flora and fauna species. Its a valley surrounded by mountains and there is a theory saying Western Ghats starts from this place. Agriculture is the main economy of the town with handloom and textile mills spread across the city limits. Breathtaking Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary known for its quiet scenic beauty is in the taluk. Thankfully megamalai is not much invaded by tourists. The places nearer to it are Theni, Madurai, Cumbum, Gudalur. Its also spelled 'Aundipatty' the town is known all over the state and country as having been the constituency of the two chief ministers. One being late M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), and more recently the constituency of J. Jayalalithaa, the present Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
There is an NGO based in Aundipatty called Arogya Agam, which is involved in rural healtcare and women development and empowerment. It is also well known for the incident when the late All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Chief Minister MGR won the MLA election in this place even without visiting this place for election campaign since he was admitted to SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York and became the Chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
wn.com/Andipatti -
Anna University
Anna University (AU), formerly Perarignar Anna University of Technology (PAUT), was a premier technical university in Tamil Nadu, India. Anna University was formed on 4 September 1978 as a unitary university, named after C. N. Annadurai. It became an affiliating university in 2001, absorbing about 250 engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu. Between 2007 and 2010 it was split into six universities, namely, Anna University, Chennai, Anna University of Technology, Chennai, Anna University of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, Anna University of Technology, Coimbatore, Anna University of Technology Tirunelveli and Anna University of Technology, Madurai. On September 14, 2011 a bill was passed to merge back the universities. However, as of February 2012[update], the separate universities are still operating.
Anna University was established as Perarignar Anna University of Technology on 4 September 1978, by integrating four engineering and technology institutes in the city of Chennai, College of Engineering, Guindy, Alagappa College of Technology, Madras Institute of Technology and the School of Architecture and Planning, previously under the control of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Madras.[citation needed] The institutes became constituent colleges of the newly formed university. It was named after former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, C. N. Annadurai. In 1982 the name Anna University was adopted, removing the words "Perarignar" and "Technology".[citation needed]
wn.com/Anna_University -
Annamalaiyar Temple
Annamalaiyar Temple (Tamil: திருஅண்ணாமலையார் திருக்கோயில்) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, located at the foothills of the Annamalai Hill in the town of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped as Annamalaiyar or Arunachaleswarar represented by lingam, with his consort, Unnamulaiyamman (Apitakuchambaal - Parvati). The temple occupies a significant place in Saivism (sect of Shiva) realm and is regarded as one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalas (one of the five temples associated with the five classical elements) – this temple is associated with the element fire (Agni).
The temple complex spans 10 hectares and is one of the largest temples in India. It houses 4 gopurams (gateway towers) with the tallest being the eastern tower with 11 storeys and a height of 66 metres (217 ft), making it one of the tallest gopurams in India.
The Karthigai Deepam festival celebrated during the full moon day in November–December during which a huge beacon lit on the top of the hill. It can be seen from miles around and believed to be Shiva's lingam of fire joining the limitless skies. The event is witnessed by 3 million pilgrims. During each full moon day, the Annamalai Hill is swelled by close to 1 million pilgrims who do a girivalam (circumnavigate the base of the temple and the Annamalail hill) and worship Annamalaiyar in the temple.
wn.com/Annamalaiyar_Temple -
Ariyalur
Ariyalur (Tamil: அரியலூர்) is a Municipality in Ariyalur district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The region near Ariyalur is rich in fossils from the late Maastrichtian. Fossils of the dinosaur Dravidosaurus, dinosaur eggs and numerous other fauna have been recorded here. The fossils in limestone sediment are however threatened as the place is mined for the production of cement by several factories in the region.
Ariyalur is a municipality and headquarters of Ariyalur District in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is rich in limestone resources. Big industrial houses like Birlas (UltraTech Cement), India cements, Dalmia cements, Madras cements have their cement units here. Tamil Nadu government's TANCEM factory is in Ariyalur and is the first factory to establish the cement production in ariyalur and later nearly as far as six more factories have emerged in and around Ariyalur providing employment opportunity to the people.
The Ariyalur Town Panchayat was functioned as Second Grade Town Panchayat from 21.12.1943, then First Grade Town Panchayat from 01.01.1955 and the Selection grade Town Panchayat form 01.04.1966. The extent of Town Panchayat is 7.62 sq kilo meter and strength of Population according to the senses of 2001th year is 27822. In this Town Panchayat there are 18 wards by division, and for which one President and 18 members have been elected by public. Amongst the members, there are 7 women members. As per the Government order 150, dated: 01.10.2004, this Town Panchayat was announced as Special Grade Town Panchayat and then by G.O.No.372 Municipality Administration and Department of supply of Drinking water, dated 16.12.2004, this Town Panchayat has been functioning as Third Grade Municipality from 20.12.2004 and functioning as second grade Municipality from 08.08.2010.
wn.com/Ariyalur -
Ariyalur district
Ariyalur (Tamil: அரியலூர் மாவட்டம்)is an administrative district in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. The district headquarters are located at Ariyalur. The district occupies an area of 1,949.31 km² and had a population of 752,481 As per the 2011 census.
The Ariyalur district was carved out of Perambalur district on January 1, 2001 during the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) regime. But, it was merged with the Perambalur district by the subsequent All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam rule on March 31, 2002 on economic grounds. Ariyalur district reborned on Friday November 23, 2007 and Rural Development and Local Administration Minister M K Stalin will formally inaugurate that 31st district of the State in a function to be held at the ITI playground in Ariyalur.
The district is bordered by the districts of Cuddalore in the north and north-east, Nagapattinam in the east, Thanjavur in the south and south-east, Tiruchirapalli in the south-west and Perambalur in the west. The district has a total of 16 police stations.
wn.com/Ariyalur_district -
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh /ˌɑrəˌnɑːtʃəl prəˈdɛʃ/ is a state of India. Located in northeast India, Arunachal Pradesh borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Bhutan in the west, Burma in the east and the People's Republic of China in the north.
Arunachal Pradesh means "land of the dawn-lit mountains". It is also known as "land of the rising sun" ("pradesh" means "state", "territory" or "region") in reference to its position as the easternmost state of India. Like other parts of Northeast India, a majority of the people native to the state are of Tibeto-Burman origin.[citation needed] A large and increasing number of migrants have reached Arunachal Pradesh from many other parts of India, although no reliable population count of the migrant population has been conducted, and percentage estimates of total population accordingly vary widely. Part of the famous Ledo Burma Road, which was a lifeline to China during World War II, passes through the eastern part of the state.[citation needed]
wn.com/Arunachal_Pradesh -
Assam
Assam /əˈsæm/ (Assamese: অসম) also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province (British India), is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country[citation needed]. Assam was one of the original provinces of the British ruled Indian sub-continent and among the original provinces of present day India, having a legislature that dates back to 1937. However, present day Assam has undergone numerous territory alignment changes, with its state map being altered more than any other province's. Known for exquisite natural resources, geography and its important role in India's freedom struggle; Assam has its capital as Dispur, an especialized city circuit region located on the outskirts of its largest metropolis, Guwahati.
Assam is particularly famous for its natural beauty. The landscape includes tea gardens, the river Brahmaputra, and many historical monuments and temples. Swami Vivekananda once said that, "next only to Kashmir, Assam is the most beautiful place in India" A state with an abundance of forest, Assam also has five national parks, around half a dozen other wildlife sanctuaries, and is home to two-thirds of the population of the unique one-horned rhino. When it comes to wildlife, Assam too has successfully conserved the one-horned Indian rhinoceros from near extinction, along with the tiger and numerous species of birds, and it provides one of the last wild habitats for the Asian elephant. It is becoming an increasingly popular destination for wildlife tourism, and Kaziranga and Manas are both World Heritage Sites.
wn.com/Assam -
Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal, the largest bay in the world, forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. Roughly triangular in shape, it is bordered mostly by India and Sri Lanka to the west, Bangladesh to the north, and Burma (Myanmar) and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the east.
The Bay of Bengal occupies an area of 2,172,000 km². A number of large rivers – the Padma (a distributary of the Ganges), Meghna (a distributary of the Brahmaputra), Jamuna (a branch of the Brahmaputra), Ayeyarwady, Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna and Kaveri – flow into the Bay of Bengal. Among the important ports are Cuddalore, Ennore, Chennai, Karaikal, Pondicherry, Tuticorin, Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Vishakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Krishnapatnam, Paradip, Kolkata, Mongla, Chittagong and Yangon.
The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the Bay of Bengal as follows:
On the East. A line running from Cape Negrais (16°03'N) in Burma through the larger islands of the Andaman group, in such a way that all the narrow waters between the islands lie to the Eastward of the line and are excluded from the Bay of Bengal, as far as a point in Little Andaman Island in latitude 10°48'N, longitude 92°24'E and thence along the Southwest limit of the Burma Sea [A line running from Oedjong Raja (5°32′N 95°12′E / 5.533°N 95.2°E / 5.533; 95.2) in Sumatra to Poeloe Bras (Breuëh) and on through the Western Islands of the Nicobar Group to Sandy Point in Little Andaman Island, in such a way that all the narrow waters appertain to the Burma Sea].
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Bihar
Bihar (/bɨˈhɑr/, pronounced [bɪˈɦaːr] (
listen)) is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at 38,202 sq mi (98,940 km2) and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India.
Bihar lies mid-way between West Bengal in the east and Uttar Pradesh in the west. It is bounded by the country of Nepal to the north and by Jharkhand to the south. The Bihar plain is divided into two parts by the river Ganges which flows through the middle from west to east. Bihar has notified forest area of 6,764.14 km2, which is 6.8% of its geographical area. Hindi and Urdu are the official languages of the state, while the majority of the people speak Angika, Bhojpuri, Magadhi, Maithili and Bajjika. In 2000, Bihar was divided into 2 parts, the Southern part known as Jharkhand.
Ancient Bihar (which consisted of Anga, Videha/Mithila, Magadha and Vajji/Vrijji) was a centre of power, learning and culture in ancient and classical India. Out of five "The Greats" from India, four greats belonged to this region of India, Magadh: Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka, Samudragupta and Vikramaditya. From Magadha arose India's first and greatest empire, the Maurya empire as well as one of the world's most widely adhered-to religions, Buddhism. Magadha empires, notably under the Maurya and Gupta dynasties, unified large parts of South Asia under a central rule. Its capital Patna, earlier known as Pataliputra, was an important centre of Indian civilization.Nalanda and Vikramshila were centres of learning established in the 5th and 8th century respectively in Bihar, and are counted amongst the oldest and truly international universities, where people all over the world came to study. Bihar has distinction of giving the world its first democracy through Lichchivi (modern days Vaishali) during ancient era.
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Chandigarh
Chandigarh /ˈtʃɑːndɨɡər/ is a city and union territory in India that serves as the capital of two states, Haryana and Punjab. The name Chandigarh translates as "The Fort of Chandi". The name is derived from an ancient temple called Chandi Mandir, devoted to the Hindu goddess Chandi, in the city. It is also referred to as The City Beautiful due to its beautiful surroundings, central grid of gardens, each dedicated to different species of flora.
The city of Chandigarh was the first planned city in India and is known internationally for its architecture and urban design. The city has projects designed by architects such as Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Jane Drew, and Maxwell Fry. The city tops the list of Indian States and Union Territories with the highest per capita income in the country at Rs.99,262 at current prices and Rs.70,361 at constant prices (2006–2007). The city was reported in 2010 to be the "cleanest" in India, based on a national government study, and the territory also headed the list of Indian states and territories according to research conducted using 2005 data by Human Development Index.
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Chennai
Chennai /ˈtʃɛnaɪ/, formerly Madras /məˈdræs/, is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, it is a major commercial, cultural, and educational centre in South India, while the port of Chennai is the second largest port in India. As of the 2011 census, the city had 4.68 million residents making it the sixth most populous city in India; the urban agglomeration, which comprises the city and its suburbs, was home to approximately 8.9 million, making it the fourth most populous metropolitan area in the country.
Although the area has been part of successive South Indian kingdoms through centuries, the recorded history of the city began in the colonial times, specifically with the arrival of British East India Company and the establishment in 1644 of Fort St George, an English settlement. The British defended several attacks from the French colonial forces, and from the kingdom of Mysore, on Chennai's way to become a major naval port and presidency city by late eighteenth century. Following the independence of India, Chennai became the capital of Tamil Nadu and a hotbed of regional politics that tended to bank on Dravidian identity of the populace. Chennai had become a bustling metropolis with beautiful classical and colonial European styled buildings, lining the city’s thoroughfares.
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Chennai Corporation
Chennai Corporation (also known as the Municipal Corporation of Chennai), formerly known as Madras Corporation, is the civic body that governs the city of Chennai (Madras), India. The Chennai Corporation is the oldest municipal body of the Commonwealth of Nations outside the United Kingdom and the oldest corporation in India. It is headed by a mayor, who presides over 200 councillors each of whom represents one of the 200 wards of the city.
The Madras Corporation is the oldest municipal body of the Commonwealth of Nations outside the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1688 to control the powers of the then Governor of Madras, Elihu Yale. The Corporation was created by a Royal Charter issued on December 30, 1687 by King James II on the advice of the chairman of the East India Company, Josiah Child.
Prior to the establishment of the corporation, the Governor of Madras or the Company's agent managed the affairs of the Fort St George and its residents with the assistance of a headman, an accountant, and the head of watch and ward. The Governor sat as Madras's Justice of the Peace. Taxes were introduced by Governor Streynsham Master (1678–1681). Complications arising out of these impositions and the growing expenses of an expanding town led to Sir Josiah drawing up plans for a more formal body of civic administration. The Corporation was inaugurated on 29 September 1688, when the new Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses took their oaths. The first members of the Corporation were representatives from diverse ethnicities. Nathaniel Higginson was the first Mayor, and he appointed representatives from the English, Scottish, French, Portuguese, and Indian mercantile communities as Aldermen. The post of the Mayor was held for one year at a time, the Mayor being elected by the Aldermen, whose term of office was for life.
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Chennai district
Coordinates: 13°5′2″N 80°16′12″E / 13.08389°N 80.27°E / 13.08389; 80.27
Chennai district is a district in the state of Tamil nadu, in India. It is the smallest of all the districts in the state, but has the highest human density. The district is a city district which means that it does not have a district headquarters. Most of the city region of Chennai comes under this district. It is divided into five talukas, namely,
Chennai district covers an area of 178.2 km2 located on the Eastern Coastal Plains of India. It is situated on the northeastern corner of Tamil Nadu along the Coramandel coast, a region bounded by the Bay of Bengal and is surrounded inland by the districts of Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram. It lies between 12°59' and 13°9' of the northern latitude and 80°12' and 80°19' of the eastern longitude at an average altitude of 6 metres above sea level on a 'sandy shelving breaker swept' beach. Terrain slope varies from 1:5000 to 1:10,000. The terrain is very flat with contours ranging from 2 m to 10 m above mean sea level with a few isolated hillocks in the southwest beyond the district limits at St. Thomas Mount, Pallavaram and Tambaram. The district runs inland in a rugged semi-circular fashion and its coastline is about 25.60 km (2.5% of the total coastline of Tamil Nadu). Because of its strategic location and economic importance, it is referred to as the "Gateway of South India." The drainage system includes two rivers, namely, Cooum (flowing in the northern part) and Adyar (flowing in the southern part), a canal (the Buckingham), and a stream (the Otteri Nullah) slicing the district into several islands.
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Chennai Open
The Chennai Open (also known during its run as the Gold Flake Open and the Tata Open) is a professional tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. It is currently part of the ATP World Tour 250 series of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour. It is held annually in January at the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh /ˈtʃætɨsɡər/[citation needed] (Chhattisgarhi/Hindi: छत्तीसगढ़, pronounced [tʃʰət̪ˈt̪iːsɡəɽʱ] ( listen)) is a state in Central India. The state was formed on November 1, 2000 by partitioning 16 Chhattisgarhi-speaking southeastern districts of Madhya Pradesh.
Raipur is the capital of the state of Chhattisgarh, which is the 10th-largest state in India, with an area of 135,190 km2 (52,200 sq mi). By population, it ranks as the 16th-largest state of the nation. It is an important electrical power and steel-producing state of India. Chhattisgarh produces 15% of the steel made in the country.
Chhattisgarh borders the states of Madhya Pradesh on the northwest, Maharashtra on the west, Andhra Pradesh on the south, Orissa on the east, Jharkhand on the northeast, and Uttar Pradesh on the north.
There are a wide array of opinions on the origin of the word Chhattisgarh. The name is not a very old one and has come into popular usage in the last few centuries. In ancient times, the region was called Dakshin Kosala (South Kosala). The name Chhattisgarh was popularized during the Maratha period and was first used in an official document in 1795.
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Chidambaram
Chidambaram (Tamil: சிதம்பரம்) is a fast growing industrial city in eastern part of Tamil Nadu and the taluk (tehsil) headquarters of the Cuddalore district. It is located in 58 km from Pondicherry, 60 km from Karaikal, and 240 km south of Chennai by rail. It has an average elevation of 3 metres (9 ft). The city is home to Annamalai University, Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram Temple, port Parangipettai, and many industries. The city is a major pilgrimage site for Shaivites and Vaishnavites.
As of 2011 India census, Chidambaram had a population of 82,458. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Chidambaram has an average literacy rate of 80%, significantly higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 84% and female literacy of 76%. 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The ancient Chidambaram Temple (Tamil: சிதம்பரம் கோயில் ) is dedicated to Lord Shiva in his form of the cosmic Dancer (Nataraja நடராசர்). It is one of the five dancing halls (Sabha) of Nataraja and the most famous one. Chidambaram is the Kanaka Sabha (Golden Hall). It is also one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams - representing five basic elements. This is the Akasa Sthalam representing 'Space' among the Pancha Bootha Sthalams. For Saivites all over the world this is the most important Siva Temple. The stand alone word "Kovil" would automatically mean Chidambaram Temple to Saivites. The others are - Tiruvannamalai (Thejo sthalam - Fire) Kanchipuram (Prithvi sthalam - Earth) Srikalahasti (Vayu sthalam - Air) Tiruvanaikaval (Trichy) (Appu sthalam - Water).
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Coimbatore
Coimbatore (Tamil: கோயம்புத்தூர், pronounced [kɔəjmbaːʈɔrɪ]), also known as Kovai (Tamil: கோவை, pronounced [kɔʋaːəj] ( listen)), is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the 15th largest urban agglomeration in India with a metropolitan population of over 2 million. It is a major commercial centre and has often been referred to as the "Manchester of South India".
The Coimbatore region has been ruled by the Cheras, the Cholas, the later Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire and the Madurai Nayaks and is believed to have been named after a chieftain called Koyan. In the 17th century, the city became a part of the Kingdom of Mysore and remained so until its conquest by the British East India Company in 1799. The history of modern Coimbatore, however, dates from the 1930s, when the city grew rapidly capitalizing on a textile boom. Since then, the city has witnessed steady growth fueled by its favourable soil, climate and political and economic conditions.
Coimbatore is administered by the Coimbatore Municipal Corporation which comprises 100 wards grouped into five zones. It is situated on the banks of the Noyyal River in western Tamil Nadu and is surrounded by the Western Ghats on all sides. It is well connected by road, rail and air with major towns and cities in India.
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Coimbatore district
Coimbatore District (Tamil: கோயம்புத்தூர் மாவட்டம்) is one of the more affluent and industrially advanced districts of the state of Tamil Nadu in India. Coimbatore is known as the Manchester of South India. It one of the most industrialized towns of Tamil Nadu. It has the highest GDP among the districts of Tamil Nadu, even ahead of the state capital Chennai. The region is bounded by Kerala state and is surrounded by the districts of Tirupur District, Nilgiris District, Erode District.The headquarters of the district is Coimbatore city. Except taluks like Mettupalayam and Pollachi all other parts belong to Coimbatore city itself.
Most of the city region of Coimbatore comes under this district. Proximity to the city of Coimbatore has its own impact on the district, with a considerable daily commuting population. The rural people are mostly agriculturists, although with the advent of SEZs in the area, service and IT industries are booming. The second largest city in Tamil Nadu, which is located approximately 497 km from Chennai, the state capital. It is highest revenue yielding district in the state, next to Chennai district.
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Coimbatore District
Coimbatore District (Tamil: கோயம்புத்தூர் மாவட்டம்) is one of the more affluent and industrially advanced districts of the state of Tamil Nadu in India. Coimbatore is known as the Manchester of South India. It one of the most industrialized towns of Tamil Nadu. It has the highest GDP among the districts of Tamil Nadu, even ahead of the state capital Chennai. The region is bounded by Kerala state and is surrounded by the districts of Tirupur District, Nilgiris District, Erode District.The headquarters of the district is Coimbatore city. Except taluks like Mettupalayam and Pollachi all other parts belong to Coimbatore city itself.
Most of the city region of Coimbatore comes under this district. Proximity to the city of Coimbatore has its own impact on the district, with a considerable daily commuting population. The rural people are mostly agriculturists, although with the advent of SEZs in the area, service and IT industries are booming. The second largest city in Tamil Nadu, which is located approximately 497 km from Chennai, the state capital. It is highest revenue yielding district in the state, next to Chennai district.
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Coonoor
Coonoor
pronunciation (help·info)(Tamil: குன்னூர்) is a town and a municipality in the Nilgiris district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for its production of Nilgiri tea.
Coonoor is located at an altitude of 1,800 m above sea level, and is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiri hills. It is an ideal base for a number of trekking expeditions leading into the Nilgiris.
Coonoor is located at 11°21′N 76°49′E / 11.35°N 76.82°E / 11.35; 76.82. It has an average elevation of 1890 metres (5900 feet) above MSL.
As of 2001[update] India census, Coonoor had a population of 50,079. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Coonoor has an average literacy rate of 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 86% and, female literacy is 78%. In Coonoor, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The town is the second largest in the Nilgiri hills after Ooty, the district headquarters. Coonoor has a healthy mix of religions, languages and cultures probably due to its being home to the regimental headquarters of the Madras Regiment of the Indian Army, the presence of the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in neighboring Wellington Cantonment, the local boarding schools and a significant tourist population.
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Courtallam
Courtallam (Kutraalam) ( குற்றாலம் in Tamil), Spa Of South India, is a panchayat town situated at a mean elevation of 160 m (520 ft) on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India. Many seasonal and a few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region. The numerous waterfalls and cascades along with the ubiquitous health resorts in the area have earned it the title the Spa of South India. The falls carry a good amount of water only when there is a rain on the hills. So it is better to see the weather forecast, when plans to come Kutraalam. From June to September, South West Monsoon will gift the fantastic season that is the cold breeze with mild temperature, which is available only in Kutraalam. From October to December North East Monsoon sets over in Tamilnadu and the climate is cold and the rains are very heavy sometimes. Sometimes the falls get flooded and people are not allowed to bath during floods.
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Cuddalore
Cuddalore pronunciation (help·info), Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, southern India, is a developing industrial city. It lies 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of Pondicherry on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Cuddalore has two districts: the "Old Town" and the "New Town" (Thirupathiripuliyur), separated by the Gedilam River. 1748 to 1752, Cuddalore was the capital of the English Possessions on the Coromandal Coast.
Prior to English control, Cuddalore was called "Koodalur" meaning "confluence" in Tamil. It is the place where the Pennaiyar, Kedilam and Paravanar rivers join.
The Cuddalore district historically consisted of "Chola Naadu" and "Nadu Naadu". The name Nadu Naadu meaning "middle country", may originate from its location between Chola Nadu and "Thondai Mandalam"; or between the "Pallava Kingdom" and the "Chola Kingdom"; or between central territories and the ocean.
From ancient times the old town has been a seaport. (The Cuddalore Government Museum in Manjakuppam keeps archeological evidence of Roman trade at Cuddalore).[citation needed]
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Cuddalore district
Cuddalore District (Tamil: கடலூர் மாவட்டம்) is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Cuddalore is the district headquarters. For the first time, urn burial grave goods were found in the village of Marungur in the district, carrying inscriptions in Tamil Brahmi from the 1st century BCE.
The district has an area of 3,564 km². It is bounded on the north by Viluppuram District, on the east by the Bay of Bengal, on the south by Nagapattinam District, and on the west by Perambalur District.
In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Cuddalore one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640). It is one of the six districts in Tamil Nadu currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).
According to the 2011 census Cuddalore district has a population of 2,600,880, roughly equal to the nation of Kuwait or the US state of Nevada. This gives it a ranking of 158th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 702 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,820 /sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 13.8 %. Cuddalore has a sex ratio of 984 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 79.04 %.
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Daman and Diu
Daman and Diu /dəˈmɑːn/ & /ˈdiːuː/ ( locally (help·info); Hindi: दमन और दीव, Gujarati: દમણ અને દીવ, Marathi: दमण आणि दीव, Portuguese: Damão e Diu) is a union territory in India.
For over 450 years, the coastal enclaves of Daman and Diu on the Arabian Sea coast were part of Portuguese India, along with Goa and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Goa, Daman, and Diu were incorporated into the Republic of India on 19 December 1961, by military conquest; Portugal did not recognize the Indian annexation of these territories until 1974. Goa, Daman, and Diu were administered as part of a single union territory until 1987, when Goa was granted statehood, leaving Daman and Diu as a separate union territory; each enclave constitutes one of the union territory's two districts.
English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi are the official and main languages. The use of Portuguese goes on declining because it is no longer official nor taught at school, though a number of elderly people can still understand it, some even preferring it for discourse at home. In addition to standard Portuguese, there are two also shrinking Portuguese-based creole languages in Daman (known as Língua da Casa, "Home Language") and Diu (Língua dos Velhos, "Elders' Language"). English is increasingly accepted for official purposes.
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Darasuram
Darasuram or Dharasuram (Tamil:தாராசுரம்) is a panchayat town located 3 kilometres from Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu, India. According to the 2001 census, the town had a population of 13,027. The town is known for the Airavateswara temple constructed by the Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century AD. The temple is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage monument.
As of 2001[update] India census, Darasuram had a population of 13,027. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Dharasuram has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77% and, female literacy is 63%. In Dharasuram, 11% of the population is under six years of age.
The earliest records of the temple mention the name of the town as Rajarajapuram. It is believed that this name might have been evolved to Darasuram with the passage of time.
This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture. The vimana is 85 feet high. The front mandapam itself is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. The temple has some exquisite stone carvings. The main deity's consort Periya Nayaki Amman temple is situated adjacent to Airavateshwarar temple.
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Delhi
Delhi (/ˈdɛli/; locally pronounced Dillee or Dehli), officially the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT), is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest metropolis by population in India. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16.7 million inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census. The region has been given special status of National Capital Region under The Constitution (69th Amendment) Act, 1991. There are nearly 22.2 million residents in the greater National Capital Region urban area (which also includes the cities Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon,Sonepat and Faridabad along with other smaller nearby towns).
Delhi is known to have been continuously inhabited since at least the 6th century BCE, though human habitation is believed to have existed since the second millennium BCE. Delhi is also widely believed to have been the site of Indraprastha, the legendary capital of the Pandavas during the times of the Mahabharata. Delhi re-emerged as a major political, cultural and commercial city along the trade routes between northwest India and the Gangetic plain after the rise of the Delhi sultanates. It is the site of many ancient and medieval monuments, archaeological sites and remains.
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Dharmapuri district
Dharmapuri District (Tamil: தருமபுரி(தர்மபுரி) மாவட்டம்) is a district in Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The district came into existence from October 10, 1965. Dharmapuri is the district headquarters. Dharmapuri town is historically called "Thakadoor".
The district is located between latitudes N 11 47’ and 12 33’ and longitudes E 77 02’ and 78 40’. Occupies an area of 4497.77 km²(i.e. 3.46% of Tamil Nadu) and has a population of 2,856,300 (as of 2001). It is bounded on the north by Krishnagiri District, on the east by Tiruvannamalai District and Viluppuram District districts, on the south by Salem District, and on the west by Karnataka's Chamarajanagar District.The Whole district is surrounded by hills and forests.
The earliest known chieftain who ruled Tagadur (present Dharmapuri) during the Sangam era, is Adigaman Naduman Anji, whose patronage sustained the famous poetess Avvaiyar. The next we hear in the 8th century when the northern parts of Salem District were probably under the Pallavas regime. Subsequently, we hear of the Ganga Pallavas having sway over the Western parts of the Salem District. The Western Gangas are also mentioned as having ruled Baramahal during the end of the 8th century.
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Dindigul
Dindigul (Tamil: திண்டுக்கல்) is a City and District headquarters in Tamil Nadu state of southern India. This is a 11th largest Urban Agglomeration based on census 2011 in Tamil Nadu The name Dindigul comes from the Portmanteau of “Thindu” meaning pillow and “kal” meaning Rock and refers to the bare hill dominating the city’s both land and skyscape. While it is largely known as the “City of Locks,Briyani City, Textiles and Tannery", this piece of land sandwiched between the Palani and Sirumalai Hills has 200,000 hectares of cultivable land and agriculture continues to be the main occupation of its inhabitants. A reserved forest area of 85 hectares rich in flora and fauna enhances Dindigul’s appeal. Particularly the Kurinji flowers found on the rolling green hills of lower Palani range, which bloom once in 12 years is well known.
Dindigul - Fort On the hill at a height of 280 ft. In the year 1605 Madurai King 'Muthu Krishna Naicker' started the construction of this Fort. In 1623 to 1659 Mannar Thirumalai Naicker completed this. In 1755 Hyder Ali was escorting Fakhr-Un-Nisha his wife and Five years old Tipu to Dindigul. From 1784 to 1790 the Fort was under the rule of 'Tipu Sultan'. In 1784, the Tipu's commandant Syed Ibrahim, under whose care the Fort was, constructed many rooms in the Fort, strengthened the walls and also conducted repairs. During the year 1790 in the Mysore war Tipu was defeated and the Fort came into the hands of English.
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Dindigul district
Dindigul District (Tamil: திண்டுக்கல் மாவட்டம்) is an administrative region in the south of Tamil Nadu, India. The district was carved out of Madurai District in the year 1985. The district is famous for its lock and tannery industries.
It is bounded on the north by Erode and Karur districts, on the east by Tiruchirappalli District, on the southeast and south by Madurai District, on the southeast by Theni District, and on the west by the state of Kerala and Tiruppur District.
The Palani and Kodaikanal taluks are famous tourist regions in South India. These taluks are cooler compared to other regions of Tamil Nadu.
Dindigul District has many waterfalls including Anju Veedu, Bamen Falls, Bear Shola Falls, Fairy Falls, Gaur Vellaiyan, Glen Falls, Kumbakkarai Falls, Kuthiraiyar Falls, Kutladampatti falls, Neptune Falls, Palar Falls, Pambar Falls, Poombarai Falls, Silver Cascade, Skamba Falls, Snake Falls, Thakkam thootam falls, Thalaiyar Falls (Rat tail) & Thoovanam falls.
Dharmathupatti Dam, Kamarajar Dam, Manjalar Dam, Marudhanadhi, Pannapatti, Parapalar Dam, Palar- Porandalar Dam, Varadamanadhi Dam, Alagapuri Dam, Peranai and Kuthiraiyar Dam
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Egypt
Egypt
i/ˈiːdʒɪpt/ (Arabic: مصر, Miṣr, Egyptian Arabic: [mɑsˤɾ] ; Coptic: Ⲭⲏⲙⲓ, Kīmi ; Sahidic Coptic: ⲕⲏⲙⲉ, Kēme), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: جمهوريّة مصر العربيّة (help·info), is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world. Covering an area of about 1,010,000 square kilometers (390,000 sq mi), Egypt is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast, the Red Sea to the east, Sudan to the south and Libya to the west.
Egypt is one of the most populous countries in Africa and the Middle East. The great majority of its over 81 million people live near the banks of the Nile River, in an area of about 40,000 square kilometers (15,000 sq mi), where the only arable land is found. The large areas of the Sahara Desert are sparsely inhabited. About half of Egypt's residents live in urban areas, with most spread across the densely populated centres of greater Cairo, Alexandria and other major cities in the Nile Delta.
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Erode
Erode (Tamil: ஈரோடு [iːroːɽɯ]) is a city, a municipal corporation and the headquarters of Erode district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
It is situated at the center of the South Indian Peninsula, about 400 kilometres (249 mi) southwest of the state capital Chennai and on the banks of the rivers Cauvery and Bhavani, between 11° 19.5" and 11° 81.05" North latitude and 77° 42.5" and 77° 44.5" East longitude. As per Census 2011 alignments, Erode Urban Agglomeration is located on the Western Banks of the river Cauvery, Erode is an important city in Kongu Nadu. It is well known for handloom, powerloom textile products and readymade garments. Hence it is called the Loom City of India or Texvalley of India. Products such as cotton sarees, bed spreads, carpets, lungies, printed fabrics, towels and dhotis are marketed here in bulk and during festivals a lot of profit is generated by cloth traders. It has also been nicknamed Manjal Maanagaram (Turmeric city) and Javuli Nagaram (Textile city). Some people say that Erode is a Peaceful city to live.
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Erode district
Erode District is a western district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India, with Erode as its headquarters. Until the year 1996, Erode district was called as Periyar District.
Erode District was a part of Coimbatore District until September 17, 1979. Mathematician Ramanujan and social reformer Periyar were from here.
Erode district had a population of 22,59,608 as of 2011. It is 46.25% urbanised as per Census 2001. The district has a literacy rate of 72.96% and is on the rise.
The district is bounded by Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka to the north, and by Kaveri River to the east. Across the Kaveri lies Salem, Namakkal and Karur districts. Tirupur District lies immediately to the south, and Coimbatore and the Nilgiris district lies to the west. Erode District is landlocked and is situated at between 10 36” and 11 58” north latitude and between 76 49” and 77 58” east longitude.
The district comprises a long undulating plain, sloping gently towards the Kaveri river in the south-east. Three major tributaries of river Kaveri, the Bhavani, Noyyal and Amaravati, run across the long stretch of mountains in the north. Other significant rivers are Palar in the north and Vatamalaikarai odai and Uppar rivers in the south. The Palar constitutes the boundary between Erode district and Karnataka in the north. The Bhavanisagar dam and Kodiveri dam provide storage facilities and numerous canals along with these rivers provide proper drainage and facilities for irrigation in the district.
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Erwadi
Ervadi or Erwadi (Tamil: ஏர்வாடி) is a village in Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu in southern India belonging to Kadaladi Taluk and Keelakarai Town panchayat. The village is the location of the grave and shrine of Qutbus Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badusha, the then ruler of Madinah Al Munawwara. Erwadi also belongs to Kadaladi Assembly constituency which is a part of Ramanathapuram (Lok Sabha constituency). But after the delimitations in 2009, Erwadi has been joined to Ramanathapuram assembly constituency. Although a small town, Erwadi is the second largest contributor for the revenue of Ramanthapuram District.
Erwadi is a town located in the Kadaladi taluk of Ramanathapuram District in southern Tamil Nadu. It is located on the coast between Keelakarai and Valinokkam. The town is famous for the shrine of Hazrat Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed badusha radiyallah ta'ala anhu. Erwadi attracted international attention when 28 inmates of a faith based mental institution were burnt alive in an accidental fire.
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Ghana
Ghana
i/ˈɡɑːnə/ is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. The word Ghana means "Warrior King" and is derived from the ancient Ghana Empire.
Ghana was inhabited in pre-colonial times by a number of ancient predominantly Akan kingdoms, including the inland Ashanti Empire, the Akwamu, the Akyem, the Bonoman, the Denkyira, and the Fante among others. Non-Akan states created by the Ga also existed as did states by the Dagomba. Prior to contact with Europeans trade between the Akan and various African states flourished due to Akan's gold wealth. Trade with European states began after contact with the Portuguese in the 15th century, and the British established the Gold Coast Crown colony in 1874 over parts but not all of the country.
The Gold Coast achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1957, becoming the First sub-Saharan African nation to do so from European Colonialism. The name Ghana was chosen for the new nation to reflect the ancient Empire of Ghana, which once extended throughout much of west Africa.
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Goa
Goai/ˈɡoʊ.ə/ is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its western coast. Goa is India's richest state with a GDP per capita two and a half times that of the country as a whole. It was ranked the best placed state by the Eleventh Finance Commission for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best quality of life in India by the National Commission on Population based on the 12 Indicators.
Panaji is the state's capital, while Vasco da Gama is the largest city. The historic city of Margao still exhibits the cultural influence of the Portuguese, who first landed in the early 16th century as merchants and conquered it soon thereafter. Goa is a former Portuguese colony, the Portuguese overseas territory of Portuguese India existed for about 450 years until it was annexed by India in 1961.
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Gobichettipalayam
Gobichettipalayam (also known as Gobi) is a town and municipality in Erode District of Tamil Nadu state, India. Gobichettipalayam is an important town in the northwestern part of the state and is the headquarters of the taluk of the same name. It is situated at 213 metres above sea level and is approximately 35 km from the district headquarters Erode. Gobichettipalayam is also known as 'Chinna Kodambakkam' or 'Mini Kollywood' because of the film shooting that take place here. Many films in Tamil and other languages have been shot here.
A major part of present Gobichettipalayam was previously known as Veerapandi Gramam, and documents and records still use that name.
The city was named after Gobi Chetty Pullan, a scholar of older times. The place was a part of the country ruled by the great king Paari, who is regarded as one of the most generous kings.Pariyur, a place with many temples near Gobichettipalayam was named after him. The land was also ruled by the Cheras and later belonged to Tipu Sultan. After Tipu's defeat, British annexed it to their territory.
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Gujarat
Gujarat /ˌɡʊdʒəˈrɑːt/ (Gujarati: ગુજરાત Gujǎrāt [ɡudʒ(ə)ɾat] ( listen)) is a state in western India. It has an area of 75,686 sq mi (196,030 km2) with a coastline of 1,600 km, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula, and a population in excess of 60 million. The state is bordered by Rajasthan to the north, Maharashtra to the south, Madhya Pradesh to the east and the Arabian Sea as well as the Pakistani province of Sindh on the west. Its capital is Gandhinagar, while its largest city is Ahmedabad. Gujarat is home to the Gujarati-speaking people of India.
The state encompasses major sites of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, such as Lothal and Dholavira. Lothal is believed to be one of the world's first ports. Gujarat's coastal cities, chiefly Bharuch and Khambhat, served as ports and trading centers in the Maurya and Gupta empires. Mahatma Gandhi, India's "father of the nation", who led the Indian Independence Movement against the British colonial rule was a Gujarati.Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, independent India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister was also from Gujarat.
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Haryana
Haryana /ˌhɑriˈɑːnə/ is a state in India. Constituted in 1966, it is one of two newly created states carved out of the greater Punjab province as a means of creating a stronger national identity. It has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar (VS 1189-1230). It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south. The river Yamuna defines its eastern border with Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Haryana also surrounds Delhi on three sides, forming the northern, western and southern borders of Delhi. Consequently, a large area of Haryana is included in the National Capital Region. The capital of the state is Chandigarh which is administered as a union territory and is also the capital of Punjab.
Sites in Haryana were part of the Indus Valley and Vedic Civilizations. Several decisive battles were fought in the area, which shaped much of the history of India. These include the epic battle of Mahabharata at Kurukshetra mentioned in the Hindu mythology (including the recital of the Bhagavad Gita by Krishna), and the three battles of Panipat. Haryana was administered as part of the Punjab province of British India, and was carved out on linguistic lines as India's 17th state in 1966. Haryana is now a leading contributor to the country's production of foodgrain and milk. Agriculture is the leading occupation for the residents of the state, the flat arable land irrigated by submersible pumps and an extensive canal system. Haryana contributed heavily to the Green Revolution that made India self-sufficient in food production in the 1960s.
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Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh /hɨˈmɑːtʃəl prəˈdɛʃ/ (Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश [ɦɪmaːtʃəl prəd̪eːʃ] ( listen)) is a state in Northern India. It is spread over 21,495 sq mi (55,670 km2), and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east.
Himachal Pradesh is known to be abundant in natural beauty After the Anglo Gorkha War, the British colonial government came into power. In 1950 Himachal was declared as a union territory but after the State of Himachal Pradesh Act 1971, Himachal emerged as the 18th state of the Republic of India. Himachal has many prestigious boarding schools. Hima means snow in Sanskrit, and the literal meaning of the state's name is In the lap of Himalayas. It was named by one of the great Sanskrit scholars of Himachal Pradesh, Acharya Diwakar Datt Sharma. Its name means "Abode of Snow".[citation needed]
The Economy of the Himachal Pradesh is currently the third fastest growing economy in India. Himachal Pradesh has been ranked fourth in the list of the highest per capita incomes of Indian states. Due to the abundance of perennial rivers, Himachal also sells hydro electricity to other states such as Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan. The economy of the state is highly dependent on three sources: hydroelectric power, tourism and agriculture.
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Hosur
Hosur is a town and a municipality in Krishnagiri district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Hosur Taluk of Krishnagiri district. It is located about 40 kilometres (25 mi) south east of Bangalore, 48 kilometres (30 mi) north west of Krishnagiri and 306 kilometres (190 mi) west of Chennai, the state capital. Hosur is known for its expanding manufacturing industries and its pleasant climate.
The name of the town is from Kannada language which means 'New settlement/town' (ಹೊಸ-New ಊರು-Town).
Rock paintings and carvings suggest that the area has been occupied during the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Mesolithic ages.
Hosur experiences a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw) with distinct wet and dry seasons. Due to its high elevation, Hosur usually enjoys a more moderate climate throughout the year, with occasional heat waves. The coolest month is January with an average low temperature of 17.1 °C and the hottest month is April with an average high temperature of 33.6 °C. Winter temperatures rarely drop below 12 °C, and summer temperatures seldom exceed 36 °C. Hosur receives rainfall from both the northeast and the southwest monsoons and the wettest months are September, October and August, in that order. The summer heat is moderated by fairly frequent thunderstorms but no flooding. Humidity is 31% and average rainfall is 84 cm.
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India
India (i/ˈɪndiə/), officially the Republic of India (Bhārat Gaṇarājya), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the south-west, and the Bay of Bengal on the south-east, it shares land borders with Pakistan to the west;China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north-east; and Burma and Bangladesh to the east. In the Indian Ocean, India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka and the Maldives; in addition, India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Thailand and Indonesia.
Home to the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation and a region of historic trade routes and vast empires, the Indian subcontinent was identified with its commercial and cultural wealth for much of its long history. Four of the world's major religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism—originated here, whereas Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam arrived in the 1st millennium CE and also helped shape the region's diverse culture. Gradually annexed by and brought under the administration of the British East India Company from the early 18th century and administered directly by the United Kingdom from the mid-19th century, India became an independent nation in 1947 after a struggle for independence that was marked by non-violent resistance led by Mahatma Gandhi.
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Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmiri/ˌdʒɑːmuː/ & /ˈkæʃmɪər/ is the northernmost state of India. It is situated mostly in the Himalayan mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south and internationally with the People's Republic of China to the north and east and the Pakistan-administered territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit–Baltistan, to the west and northwest respectively.
Formerly a part of the erstwhile Princely State of Kashmir and Jammu, which governed the larger historic region of Kashmir, this territory is disputed among China, India and Pakistan. Pakistan, which claims the territory as disputed, refers to it alternatively as Indian-occupied Kashmir or Indian-held Kashmir, while some international agencies such as the United Nations, call it Indian-administered Kashmir. The regions under the control of Pakistan are referred to as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir or PoK within India.
Jammu and Kashmir consists of three regions: Jammu, the Kashmir valley and Ladakh. Srinagar is the summer capital, and Jammu is the winter capital. While the Kashmir valley is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscape, Jammu's numerous shrines attract tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims every year. Ladakh, also known as "Little Tibet", is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and Buddhist culture.
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Jharkhand
Jharkhand /dʒɑrˈkɑːnd/[citation needed] (Hindi: झारखण्ड; Bengali: ঝাড়খন্ড; Urdu: جھاڑکھنڈ; Jhārkhaṇḍ, pronounced [ˈdʒʱaːrkʰəɳɖ] ( listen)) is a state in eastern India. It was carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15 November 2000. Jharkhand shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the west, Orissa to the south, and West Bengal to the east. It has an area of 79,714 km2 49,821 sq mi (129,040 km2). The industrial city of Ranchi is its capital and Dumka is sub capital while Jamshedpur is the largest and the biggest industrial city of the state. Some of the other major cities and industrial centres are Dhanbad, Bokaro and Hazaribagh.
The name "Jharkhand" means "The Land of Forests".
According to some writers like Gautam Kumar Bera, there was already a distinct geo-political, cultural entity called Jharkhand even before the period of Magadha Empire. Bera's book (page 33) also refers to the Hindu Mythological book Bhavishya Purana. The tribal rulers, some of whom continue to thrive till today were known as the Munda Rajas, who basically had ownership rights to large farmlands. During the Mughal period, the Jharkhand area was known as Kukara.
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Kalpakkam
Kalpakkam is a small town in Tamil Nadu, India, situated on the Coromandel Coast 70 kilometres south of Chennai. A conglomerate of two villages (Puduppattinam and Sadurangappatinam) and a DAE township, it is about 55 km from Thiruvanmiyur.
Kalpakkam is mostly famous for its nuclear plants and affiliated research installations. These include the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), one of India's nuclear power plants, and the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), an affiliate of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
Due to increasing congestion in Kalpakkam arising from the need to accommodate more employees, a new township of Anupuram/Amaipakkam, 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Kalpakkam, was inaugurated in 1998.
The tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake generated widespread damage and resulted in 200 deaths at Kalpakkam. There is a tsunami memorial.
Kalpakkam is a well built and planned township. The schools present in the township are Atomic Energy Central School (AECS 1, 2 and 3), Kendriya Vidyalaya-1, Kendriya Vidyalaya-2, Govt Hr. Secondary School and Infant Jesus Matric Hr. Sec. School on Pudupattinam. The township is split into two sides: the Sadras and Pudupattinam sides. Often there is a healthy rivalry in sports and in other activities between the two sides, especially since Kendriya Vidyalaya-1 is on the Pudupattinam side and Kendriya Vidyalaya-2 on the Sadras side. Both sides have similar facilities, but Pudupattinam has more complete and bigger facilities, such as the hospital and the General Services Organization (GSO). The two sides are separated by a bridge over the canal which joins the sea nearby and well over the backwater with thousands of jellyfish moving underneath. Also, the backwater is a visiting place by many migratory birds especially the rarely seen Siberian Crane in the depths of winter. The backwater can be clearly seen through the compound walls of K.V-2 in Sadras.
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Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram or Kanchi, is a famous temple city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It served as the Capital city of the Pallava Kingdom. It is also known by its former names Kanchiampathi, Conjeevaram, and the nickname "The City of Thousand Temples". It is now the Administrative headquarters of Kanchipuram district. Kanchipuram is located 72 kilometers from Chennai, the capital city of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India.
Kanchipuram is considered one of the seven holiest cities to the Hindus of India. In Hinduism, a kṣetra is a sacred ground, a field of active power, a place where moksha, final release can be obtained. The Garuda Purana enumerates seven cities as providers of moksha, namely Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Varanasi, Avantikā, Dvārakā and Kanchipuram.
Among the major Hindu temples in Kanchipuram are some of the most prominent Vishnu Temples and Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu like the Varadharaja Perumal Temple for Vishnu and the Ekambaranatha Temple which is the "earth abode" of Shiva. Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kumara Kottam, Kachapeshwarar Temple, and the Kailasanathar Temple are some of the other prominent temples.
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Kanchipuram district
Kanchipuram district (Tamil: காஞ்சிபுரம் மாவட்டம்) is a district in the northeast of the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is bounded in the west by Vellore and Thiruvannamalai districts, in the north by Thiruvallur District and Chennai District, in the south by Viluppuram District and in the east by the Bay of Bengal. It lies between 11° 00' to 12° 00' latitudes and 77° 28' to 78° 50' longitudes. The district has a total geographical area of 4,432 km2 (1,711 sq mi) and coastline of 57 km (35 mi). The town of Kanchipuram is the district headquarters. It is the second most populous district of Tamil Nadu (out of 32), after Chennai.
The district produces over 15,000 engineering graduates every year, same as Gujarat state.
The history of Kanchi can be traced back to several centuries before the advent of the Christian era. The place finds its name in Patanjali's Mahabhashya, written in the 2nd century BC. Manimekalai, the famous Tamil classic, and Perumpanattu Padai, a great Tamil poetical work, vividly describe Kanchipuram city, as it was at the beginning of the Christian era. Pathupattu, one of the sangam literatures, reads that the king Thondaiman Ilandirayan ruled this town around 2500 years ago.
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Kanyakumari district
Kanyakumari District (also spelled Kanniyakumari or Kanniakumari District) is a district of Tamil Nadu state, India, and is the southernmost land area of mainland India.
The district is the second most urbanised district in Tamil Nadu — next only to Chennai and ahead of Coimbatore - and is the second smallest of the 32 districts of Tamil Nadu. Kanyakumari shares it names with the town of Kanyakumari, which is at the tip of the Indian Peninsula and faces the Indian Ocean, but the administrative capital is Nagercoil. The district is also known as "The District of Ponds" or "The Lands End"
It was part of the princely state of Travancore until India's independence and it later formed a part of Travancore Cochin Presidency before the state of Kerala was formed. Subsequently, four of the eight taluks of Thiruvananthapuram district were separated to form the new district of Kanyakumari, and they were made a part of the Madras Presidency under recommendations from the States' Reorganisation Commission in 1956. The Presidency was later renamed as Tamil Nadu.
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Kari Motor Speedway
Kari Motor Speedway is a purpose built auto racing circuit or race track, located in Orratukuppai, Chettipalayam, Coimbatore, India. The track's length is currently 3.2 km. It was inaugurated in 2003, in memory of Late Shri. S. Karivardhan or "KARI" as he was affectionately known.
The long stretch of the present track was originally a runway for Power Gliders, as it was part of a Ultralight aviation manufacturing company owned by S. Karivardhan. The long stretch was also a popular venue in late 90's for Drag racing. In 2002, the land was purchased by the bike racing legend, and a purpose built track to conduct National Motorsports events was constructed. The track was inaugurated by G. K. Sundaran, the father of the late Motor racing legend S. Karivardhan.
The track regularly conducts the National Championship races for go-karts, Motorcycle road racing and formula (car) racing events. A racing school is conducted by former F3 Champ Akbar Ebrahim. Starting from 2006 Indo-Srilankan championship season has come into effect with the inaugural race held in this track.
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Karnataka
Karnataka /kɑrˈnɑːtəkə/ is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava (Formation Day). Originally known as the State of Mysore /maɪˈsɔər/, it was renamed Karnataka in 1973. It is the land of the Kannadigas, Tuluvas, Konkanis and Kodavas. The capital and largest city is Bangalore.
Karnataka is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Goa to the northwest, Maharashtra to the north, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Kerala to the southwest. The state covers an area of 191,976 square kilometres (74,122 sq mi), or 5.83% of the total geographical area of India. It is the eighth largest Indian state by area. With over 61 million inhabitants (2011), Karnataka is the ninth largest state by population, comprising 30 districts. Kannada is the most widely spoken and official language of the state.
The two main river systems of the state are Krishna and its tributaries (Bhima, Ghataprabha, Vedavati, Malaprabha, and Tungabhadra) in the north, and the Cauvery and its tributaries (Hemavati, Shimsha, Arkavathi, Lakshmana Thirtha and Kabini) in the south. Both these rivers flow eastward and fall into the Bay of Bengal.
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Karur
Karur is a large town, municipality and head of the Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu situated on the banks of Amaravati. Karur district was formed on 30 September 1995 by trifurcating Tiruchirappalli district. It is the administrative headquarters of Karur District. Karur has a very long history and has been sung by various sangam poets. It has been the battleground of various Tamil Kings like Chera, Chola and Pandya because of its strategic location in Kongu Nadu. The district has a very rich and varied cultural heritage. The town and the country side is made fertile by the perennial flows of the Kaveri River on the northern side(Thavittupalayam, Vangal, Muniyappanur, Kattalai (confluence of Kaveri River and Amaravati River) Mayanur, Kulithalai) and also the Amaravati, Nalkasi, Kudaganar and Noyyal rivers. The area is famous worldwide for its hand-loom textile products.
Karur is one of the oldest towns in Tamil Nadu and has played a very significant role in the history and culture of the Tamils. Its history dates back over 2000 years, and has been a flourishing trading center in the early Sangam days. It was ruled by the Cheras, Gangas, Cholas, the Vijayanagara Nayaks, Mysore and the British successively.
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Karur district
Karur District (Tamil: கரூர் மாவட்டம்) is located center along the Kaveri & Amaravathi rivers in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The main town in Karur District is the city of Karur, which is also the district headquarter. It had a population of 10,76,588 as of 2011. It is 33.27% urbanized as per Census 2001. The district has a literacy of 81.74%.
Karur is one of the oldest towns in Tamil Nadu and has played a very significant role in the history and culture of the Tamils. Its history dates back over 3000 years, and has been a flourishing trading center even in the early Sangam days. In the ancient and medieval times, the area was ruled by the Cheras, Gangas and Cholas. Karur was the capital of Cheras.The Pasupatheesvarar Temple sung by Thirugnana Sambhandar, in Karur was built by the Chola kings in the 7th century. Later the Nayakars followed by Tipu Sultan also ruled Karur. The British added Karur to their possessions after destroying the Karur Fort during their war against Tipu Sultan in 1783. There is a memorial at Rayanur near Karur for the warriors who lost their lives in the fight against the British in the Anglo-Mysore Wars. Thereafter Karur became part of British India and was first part of Coimbatore District and later Tiruchirappalli District. Karur is also a part of Kongu Nadu. The history of Kongu Nadu dates back to the 8th century. The name Kongunadu originated from the term "Kongu", meaning nectar or honey. Kongu came to be called as Kongu nadu with the growth of civilization. The ancient Kongunadu country was made up of various districts and taluks which are currently known as Palani, Dharapuram, Karur, Nammakkal, Thiruchengodu, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Satyamangalam, Nilgiris, Avinashi, Coimbatore, Pollachi and Udumalpet.
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Karur District
Karur District (Tamil: கரூர் மாவட்டம்) is located center along the Kaveri & Amaravathi rivers in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The main town in Karur District is the city of Karur, which is also the district headquarter. It had a population of 10,76,588 as of 2011. It is 33.27% urbanized as per Census 2001. The district has a literacy of 81.74%.
Karur is one of the oldest towns in Tamil Nadu and has played a very significant role in the history and culture of the Tamils. Its history dates back over 3000 years, and has been a flourishing trading center even in the early Sangam days. In the ancient and medieval times, the area was ruled by the Cheras, Gangas and Cholas. Karur was the capital of Cheras.The Pasupatheesvarar Temple sung by Thirugnana Sambhandar, in Karur was built by the Chola kings in the 7th century. Later the Nayakars followed by Tipu Sultan also ruled Karur. The British added Karur to their possessions after destroying the Karur Fort during their war against Tipu Sultan in 1783. There is a memorial at Rayanur near Karur for the warriors who lost their lives in the fight against the British in the Anglo-Mysore Wars. Thereafter Karur became part of British India and was first part of Coimbatore District and later Tiruchirappalli District. Karur is also a part of Kongu Nadu. The history of Kongu Nadu dates back to the 8th century. The name Kongunadu originated from the term "Kongu", meaning nectar or honey. Kongu came to be called as Kongu nadu with the growth of civilization. The ancient Kongunadu country was made up of various districts and taluks which are currently known as Palani, Dharapuram, Karur, Nammakkal, Thiruchengodu, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Satyamangalam, Nilgiris, Avinashi, Coimbatore, Pollachi and Udumalpet.
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Kayalpatnam
Kayalpatnam(aka Kayalpattinam, Tamil – காயல்பட்டினம்) or Korkai is a town in the Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu, India. Kayal is referred to in Marco Polo's travel diaries dating to 1250 AD. Korkai or Kayal (Chayal) was an ancient port dating to the 1st centuries of the Christian era and was contemporaneous to the existence of Kollam, another Pandyan port. Kollam served the Pandyas on the west coast while Korkai/Kayal served them on the east coast connecting them to Ceylon and the pearl fisheries in the Gulf of Mannar facing the Tirunelveli Coast. Kayal has Muslim settlements dating from 7th century AD but Marco Polo's reference to the tomb of Thomas and the Christian communities would indicate Syrian Christian communities in the region prior to that era. The ancient port had connections with Egypt, Rome and Greece. The other ports on the Coromandel Coast were Kaveripumpattinam (Poompuhar) and Arikamedu (near Pondicherry). On the west coast the ancient ports were Kollam and Kodungallur and Barugachha (Broach) in Gujarat.
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Kerala
Kerala or Keralam /ˈkɛrələ/ is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was formed on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions.
The state has an area of 38,863 km2 (15,005 sq mi) and is bordered by Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the east and south, and the Arabian Sea on the west. Thiruvananthapuram is the state capital. Kochi and Kozhikode are other major cities. According to a survey by The Economic Times, five out of ten best cities to live in India are located in Kerala.
Kerala has the highest Human Development Index in India, higher than that of most developed countries The state has the highest literacy rate in India with 93.91 percent. It hopes to be the first e-literate state in India through the state run Akshaya project. The state recently became and is currently the only one to have banking facilities in every village. A survey conducted in 2005 by Transparency International ranked Kerala as the least corrupt state in the country. Kerala is also ranked as India's cleanest state. Kerala has witnessed significant migration of its people, especially to the Persian Gulf countries during the Kerala Gulf boom and is heavily dependent on remittances from its large Malayali expatriate community.
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Kilakarai
Kilakarai, Kilakkarai or Keelakarai (Tamil: கீழக்கரை) is a municipality in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Kilakarai is an ancient coastal town and a port, located in the southern Tamil Nadu. It was a flourishing sea port and a gateway to places as far as Madurai till the early 20th century . The famous pearl belt known as the Gulf of Mannar in the Bay of Bengal is dotted with small islands Appa Tivu, Nallatanni Tivu, Shuli Tivu,Uppu Tanni Tivu, Talari Tivu and Musal Tivu. The coastal line of Kilakarai is formed by series of small bays and finest coral reefs sheltering the town from the perils of the ocean.
The prime occupations of the people were pearl, conch, Sea trade and transport. Mid 20th century saw a decline in the occupations of the people of Kilakarai, with the advent of the surface transport the Merchant Navies faded away and Kilakarai aka Killikare ceased to be a harbour and port. The cultured pearl industry choked the once robust pearl trade or Muthu Salabam. The Conch and Coral industries declined due to new regulations and restrictions.
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Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is a city in the hills of the taluk division of the Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Its name in the Tamil language means "The Gift of the Forest". Kodaikanal is referred to as the "Princess of Hill stations" and has a long history as a retreat and popular tourist destination.
Kodaikanal was established in 1845 as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains. Much of the local economy is based on the hospitality industry serving tourism.
It is not known who first used this name or what they intended it to mean.
However the following explanation makes some sense. By pronouncing with long Tamil 'O' as ko...dai means the summer and kanal means to see, which means a place to see in Summer. Kodaikanal is actually a summer forest.
The other interesting explanations are, the Tamil language, has four versions are defined to the name "Kodaikanal". It is interesting but it is not known who invented this name. The word Kodaikanal is classified into two words as Kodai and Kanal. Here "Kanal" means in Tamil that the dense forest or the closed forest. Then "Kodai" has four different meanings. With its meanings Kodaikanal meant in four ways. By pronouncing with long Tamil 'O' and KO....DI means "the end". So that KO...DI KANAL means "The End of the Forest" in the bygone days, Kodaikanal is situated at the end part of the thick forest. Nowadays it is developed but the beauty is still kept.
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Krishnagiri district
Krishnagiri (Tamil: கிருட்டிணகிரி மாவட்டம்) is a district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The municipal town of Krishnagiri is the district headquarters. In Tamil Nadu, E-Governance was first introduced at Krishnagiri district under the National e-Governance Project (NEGP) in Revenue, Social Welfare departments on a pilot basis. The District is one of the two largest producers of Mangoes not only in Tamil Nadu but throughout India.
'Krishna' refers to 'black' and 'giri' refers to 'hill'. Thus, 'Krishnagiri' refers to 'Black Hill'. This district is gifted with black granite hillocks and named as 'Krishnagiri'. Also, the region came under the rule of Krishna Deva Raya and hence it might also have been named after him.
Krishnagiri District has a prehistoric importance. Till the year 2004 Krishnagiri was a part of the Dharmapuri district. Considering the expanding population and significant features of the Krishnagiri division, Krishnagiri District was formed as the 30th district separate district of Tamil Nadu on February 9, 2004. Thiru. Mangat Ram Sharma, I.A.S has administered the office as first Collector of Krishnagiri District.
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Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam (kūmpakōṇam), also spelt as Coombaconum in the records of British India, is a town and a special grade municipality in the Thanjavur District in the southeast Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located 40 kilometres from Thanjavur and 273 kilometres from Chennai and is the headquarters of the Kumbakonam Taluk of Thanjavur District. The town is bounded by two rivers, the Kaveri River to the north and Arasalar River to the south. According to the 2001 census, Kumbakonam has a population of 140,021 and has a strong Hindu majority; but it also has sizeable Muslim and Christian populations.
Kumbakonam dates back to the Sangam period and was ruled by the Early Cholas, Pallavas, Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks and the Thanjavur Marathas. It rose to be a prominent city between the 7th and 9th centuries AD, when it served as a capital of the Medieval Cholas. The town reached the zenith of its prosperity during the British Raj when it was a prominent centre of European education and Hindu culture; and it acquired the cultural name, the "Cambridge of South India". In 1866, Kumbakonam was officially constituted as a municipality, which today comprises 45 wards, making it the second largest municipality in Thanjavur District.
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Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep /ləkˈʃɑːdwiːp/ (Malayalam: ലക്ഷദ്വീപ് Lakṣadvīp (help·info), Mahl: ލަކްޝަދީބު Lakshadīb), formerly known as the Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands /ˌlækədaɪv ˌmɪnɨkɔɪ/ & /ˌæmɨnˈdiːvi/, is a group of islands in the Laccadive Sea, 200 to 440 km off the coast of the South West Indian state of Kerala. They were also known as Laccadive Islands, although geographically this is only the name of the central subgroup of the group.
The islands form the smallest Union Territory of India. The total surface area of the islands is just 11 sq mi or 32 km2. However, the lagoon area is about 4,200 square kilometres (1,600 sq mi), the territorial waters area is 20,000 square kilometres (7,700 sq mi) and the exclusive economic zone area is 400,000 square kilometres (150,000 sq mi).
Lakshadweep is the northern part of the erstwhile Lakshadweepa.[clarification needed] The islands are the northernmost among the Lakshadweep-Maldives-Chagos group of islands, which are actually the tops of a vast undersea mountain range, in the Indian Ocean, the Chagos-Laccadive Ridge.
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Lok Sabha
Coordinates: 28°37′3″N 77°12′30″E / 28.6175°N 77.20833°E / 28.6175; 77.20833
The Lok Sabha (Hindi: लोक सभा) or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India. The Constitution limits the Lok Sabha to a maximum of 552 members, including no more than 20 members representing people from the Union Territories, and two appointed non-partisan members to represent the Anglo-Indian community (if the President feels that that community is not adequately represented).
Each Lok Sabha is formed for a five-year term, after which it is automatically dissolved, unless extended by a proclamation of emergency. In such cases, the term may be extended by one-year increments. The 15th Lok Sabha was formed in May 2009.
An exercise to redraw Lok Sabha constituencies' boundaries has been carried out by the Delimitation Commission based on the Indian census of 2001. This exercise, which was supposed to be carried out after every census, was suspended in 1976 following a constitutional amendment to avoid adverse effects of the family planning program which was being implemented. Today, the Lok Sabha has its own TV channel, Lok Sabha TV, head-quartered within the premises of Parliament.
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Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh /ˈmɑːdjə prəˈdɛʃ/, abbreviated MP, often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city.
Madhya Pradesh is the second largest state by area and with over 75 million inhabitants the sixth largest state in India by population. It borders the states of Uttar Pradesh to the northeast, Chhattisgarh to the southeast, Maharashtra to the south, Gujarat to the west, and Rajasthan to the northwest.
The city of Ujjain (also known as Avanti) arose as a major center in the second wave of Indian urbanization in the sixth century BC, and served as the chief city of the kingdom of Malwa or Avanti. Further east, the kingdom of Chedi lie in Bundelkhand. Chandragupta Maurya united northern India c. 320 BC, establishing the Maurya empire (321 to 185 BC), which included all of modern-day Madhya Pradesh. King Ashoka's wife was said to come from Vidisha- a town north of today's Bhopal. The Maurya empire went into decline after the death of Asoka the Great, and Central India was contested among the Sakas, Kushanas, and local dynasties during the 3rd to 1st centuries BCE. Ujjain emerged as the predominant commercial center of western India from the first century BCE, located on the trade routes between the Ganges plain and India's Arabian Sea ports. It was also an important Hindu and Buddhist center.
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Madras Boat Club
The Madras Boat Club, located in the South of India, in the historic city of Chennai is one of the oldest rowing centres in India.
It was a few Englishmen in Madras (now called Chennai) who founded the club in 1867. There are records to show that the club was first started in the backwaters of Ennore and pictures of the rowing course lying alongside the sailing course are still available in the club's archives. It seems highly possible that it was a few sailors, with some rowing involvement back in England, who mooted the idea of setting up the rowing facility.
Later, in 1892, the club was shifted to its present location - on the banks of the Adyar river. Possibly the rowers grew in numbers, and felt they required an exclusive stretch of water for themselves. The early records of the club reveal that in 1874–75 there was a membership of about 32 rowing members and 24 non-rowing members.
In 1898, the club coat - dark blue with brass buttons and the club monogram - which is in use even today without modification, was adopted by the then committee. Inter-club and intra-club regattas were conducted quite regularly during those years, and the extensive press coverage that the sport got in those days is indicative of its popularity. One name that figures often in the early records is that of F. H. Wilson for his sculling prowess.
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Madras High Court
Coordinates: 13°05′16″N 80°17′17″E / 13.08778°N 80.28812°E / 13.08778; 80.28812
The Madras High Court (Tamil: சென்னை உயர்நீதிமன்றம்) is a senior court located at Chennai (Madras), in India. The court buildings, which are believed to be the second largest judicial complex in the world, are located near the beach, in one of the city's major business districts.
The jurisdiction of the Madras High Court covers Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
British India's three presidency towns of Madras (Chennai), Bombay (Mumbai), and Calcutta (Kolkata) were each granted a High Court by letters patent dated 26 June 1862. The letters patent were issued by Queen Victoria under the authority of the British parliament's Indian High Courts Act 1861. The three courts remain unique in modern India, having been established under British royal charter; this is in contrast with the country's other high courts, which have been directly established under Indian legislation. However, the Constitution of India recognises the status of the older courts.
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Madurai
Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu with a population of over 1 million (according to the 2001 census). Located on the banks of River Vaigai, Madurai has been a major settlement for two millennia. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The city is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District. The capital of the Pandyan kingdom was initially Korkai, around 600 BCE, and was later moved to Koodal (now Madurai) during the reign of Nedunj Cheliyan I. Madurai is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and Madurai Nayak kings in the Dravidian style of architecture. It is also one of India's most prominent Hindu pilgrimage centres.
Madurai is also called as City of Junction (Koodal nagaram), City of Jasmine (Malligai maanagar), Temple city (Koil maanagar), City that never sleeps (Thoonga nagaram) and City of four junctions (Naanmada koodal).
Madurai's recorded history goes back to the 3rd century BC and the city is mentioned by Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to India and Kautilya, the minister of the Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. The city was the principal administrative and cultural centre of the Pandyan dynasty which ruled over the southern parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala till the first half of the 14th century AD. In about 1311, the Pandyan dynasty was overthrown by the Delhi Sultanate which established the province of Ma'bar which later became independent as the Ma'bar Sultanate. When the Ma'bar Sultanate began to decline in the latter years of the 14th century, Madurai was absorbed into the Vijayanagar Empire. The viceroys of the Vijayanagar Empire established the Madurai Nayak kingdom and ruled as independent kings from 1559 to 1736. After a brief period of occupation by Chanda Sahib and the Carnatic kingdom, Madurai was annexed by the British East India Company in 1801.
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Madurai district
Madurai district is one of the 32 districts of the state of Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. The city of Madurai serves as the district headquarters. It houses the world famous Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwarar temple and is situated on the banks of river Vaigai. Thiruparankundram is one of the major tourist place in the district. Kazimar Periya Pallivasal and Madurai Maqbara in Kazimar Street are the oldest and major Islamic symbols in the city.
Madurai, also known as "Athens of the East". The main kingdoms which ruled Madurai during various times are the Pandyas and the Nayaks. Madurai is nicknamed "Thoonga Nagaram", roughly translated as, "city that never sleeps". Madurai is called as temple city
Madurai district comprises 13 Blocks.The Blocks become the best part of administration due to the number of villages in the district where rural administration is done by the Block hq. The Blocks are sub-divided by Firkas
Madurai district comprises seven Taluks.
According to the 2011 census Madurai district has a population of 3,041,038, roughly equal to the nation of Oman or the US state of Iowa. This gives it a ranking of 119th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 823 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,130 /sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 17.95 %. Madurai has a sex ratio of 990 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 81.66 %.
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Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram, derived from 'Mamallapuram' (Tamil: மாமல்லபுரம்) is the prior and colloquial name of a town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, now officially called Mamallapuram. It has an average elevation of 12 metres (39 feet).
Mahabalipuram was a 7th century port city of the South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas around 60 km south from the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The name Mamallapuram is believed to have been given after the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, who took on the epithet Maha-malla (great wrestler), as the favourite sport of the Pallavas was wrestling. It has various historic monuments built largely between the 7th and the 9th centuries, and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Megalithic burial urns, cairn circles and jars with burials dating to the very dawn of the Christian era have been discovered near Mamallapuram. The Sangam age poem Perumpāṇāṟṟuppaṭai relates the rule of King Thondaiman Ilam Thiraiyar at Kanchipuram of the Tondai Nadu port Nirppeyyaru which scholars identify with the present-day Mamallapuram. Chinese coins and Roman coins of Theodosius I in the 4th century CE have been found at Mamallapuram revealing the port as an active hub of global trade in the late classical period. Two Pallava coins bearing legends read as Srihari and Srinidhi have been found at Mamallapuram. The Pallava kings ruled Mamallapuram from Kanchipuram; the capital of the Pallava dynasty from the 3rd century to 9th century CE, and used the port to launch diplomatic missions to Ceylon and Southeast Asia.
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Maharashtra
Maharashtra /mɑːhəˈrɑːʃtrə/ (Marathi: महाराष्ट् mahārāṣṭra [məharaːʂʈrə] ( listen)) is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India. Maharashtra is the richest state in India, contributing 15% of the country's industrial output and 13.3% of its GDP (2006–2007 figures).
Maharashtra is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Gujarat and the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli to the northwest, Madhya Pradesh to the northeast, Chhattisgarh to the east, Karnataka to the south, Andhra Pradesh to the southeast, and Goa to the southwest. The state covers an area of 307,731 km2 (118,816 sq mi) or 9.84% of the total geographical area of India. Mumbai, the capital city of the state, is India's largest city and the financial capital of the nation. Nagpur is the second capital of the state. Marathi is the official language.
Maharashtra is the world's second most populous first-level administrative country sub-division. Were it a nation in its own right, Maharashtra would be the world's tenth most populous country ahead of Mexico.
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Malay Peninsula
The Malay Peninsula or Thai-Malay Peninsula (Malay: Semenanjung Tanah Melayu; سمننجوڠ تانه ملايو, Thai: คาบสมุทรมลายู) is a peninsula in Southeast Asia. The land mass runs approximately north-south and, at its terminus, is the southern-most point of the Asian mainland. The area contains the southernmost tip of Burma, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Southern Thailand.
The Titiwangsa Mountains are part of the Tenasserim Hills system, and form the backbone of the Peninsula. They form the southernmost section of the central cordillera which runs from Tibet through the Kra Isthmus (the Peninsula's narrowest point) into the Malay peninsula. The Strait of Malacca separates the Malay Peninsula from the Indonesian island of Sumatra while the south coast is separated from the island of Singapore by the Straits of Johor.
The Malay term Tanah Melayu (literally: 'The Malay Land') is generally used by the Malays and occasionally used in political discourse to describe uniting all ethnic Malay people on the peninsula under one Malay nation, although this ambition was largely realised with the creation of Malaysia.[citation needed]
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Manipur
Manipur /mænɨˈpʊər/ (Pronunciation manipur (help·info)), literally meaning "a jeweled land", is a state in northeastern India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. Manipur is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west; it also borders Burma to the east. It covers an area of 22,347 square kilometres (8,628 sq mi).
The Meiteis (Meeteis), who live primarily in the state's valley region, form the primary ethnic group (60% of the total population) but occupy only 10% of the total land area. Their language, Meiteilon (Meeteilon), (also known as Manipuri), is also the lingua franca in the state, and was recognized as one of the national languages of India in 1992. The Muslims (Meitei-Pangal) also live in the valley; the Kukis, Nagas, Paites and other smaller groups form about 40% of the population but occupy the remaining 90% of the total land area of Manipur State. Manipur is considered a sensitive border state.[citation needed]
Manipur state has taken Bengali script of writing but now-a-days started in their original scripts "Meetei/Meitei Mayek(Script)" at schools as well as in Newspapers.
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Marina Beach
Coordinates: 13°03′15″N 80°17′01″E / 13.05418°N 80.28368°E / 13.05418; 80.28368
Marina Beach (Tamil: மரினா கடற்கரை) is an urban beach in the city of Chennai, India, along the Bay of Bengal, part of the Indian Ocean. The beach runs from near Fort St. George in the north to Besant Nagar in the south, a distance of 13 km (8.1 mi), making it the longest urban beach in the country and the world's second longest. The Marina is primarily sandy, unlike the short, rocky formations that make up the Juhu Beach in Mumbai. The average width of the beach is 300 m (980 ft) and the width at the widest stretch is 437 m (1,434 ft). Bathing and swimming at the Marina Beach are legally prohibited because of the dangers, as the undercurrent is very turbulent. It is the most crowded beach in the country and attracts about 30,000 visitors a day during weekdays and 50,000 visitors a day during the weekends and on holidays. During summer months, about 15,000 to 20,000 people visit the beach daily. In 2010, 18 per cent of the 5,000 respondents interviewed by the Tripadvisor Survey panned the beach as being dirty.
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Meghalaya
Meghalaya /ˌmɛɡəˈleɪə/ (Hindi: मेघालय; pronounced [meːˈɡʱaːləjə]) is a state in north-eastern India. The word "Meghalaya" literally means the Abode of Clouds in Sanskrit and other Indic languages. Meghalaya is a hilly strip in the eastern part of the country about 300 km long (east-west) and 100 km wide, with a total area of about 8,700 sq mi (22,720 km²). The population numbered 2,175,000 in 2000. The state is bounded on the north by Assam and by Bangladesh on the south. The capital is Shillong also known as the Scotland of the East, which has a population of 260,000.
About one third of the state is forested. The Meghalaya subtropical forests ecoregion encompasses the state; its mountain forests are distinct from the lowland tropical forests to the north and south. The forests of Meghalaya are notable for their biodiversity of mammals, birds, and plants. It was previously part of Assam, but on January 21, 1972, the districts of Khasi, Garo and Jaintia hills became the new state of Meghalaya.
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Mettur
Mettur is an industrial Town municipality in Salem district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is best known for the Mettur Dam.
However in recent years it has been associated with rampant industrial polluting, with the Chennai-based Community Environmental Monitoring (CEM) arguing in their report of November 2007 for its designation as a "Critically Polluted Area". This argument centred around an air sample which found levels of 1,2-Dicholoroethane, a known carcinogen, at 32,432 times the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Screening Levels. Although the Central Pollution Board is yet to respond to this argument, the findings of The Indian People's Tribunal(IPT) in 2005 and the chemical tests performed by a USEPA-approved laboratory in Oregon, USA make this one of the most pressing environmental issues in South India.
Mettur, meaning 'town with crests and troughs', obtained its name owing to the undulating rocky nature of the land that makes the town an ideal place for the dam on Cauvery river the life line of north and central Tamil Nadu. Stanley Reservoir.
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Mizoram
Mizoram /mɨˈzɔrəm/ (Mizo pronunciation: /mɪ.'zoʊ.'rʌm/) (from mi 'people', zo 'hill', ram 'country', Land of the Hill People / Mizo people") is one of the Seven Sister States listed as in North Eastern India, sharing borders with the states of Tripura, Assam, Manipur and with the neighboring countries of Bangladesh and Myanmar Burma. Mizoram became the 23rd state of India on 20 February 1987. Its capital is Aizawl. Mizoram is located in the northeast of India.
Mizoram has a mild climate, comfortable in summer 20 °C to 29 °C (68 °F to 84 °F) and never freezing during winter, with temperatures from 7 °C to 21 °C (44 °F to 70 °F). The region is influenced by monsoons, raining heavily from May to September with little rain in the dry (cold) season. The average state rainfall is 254 cm (100 in.), per annum. In the capital, Aizawl rainfall is about 208 centimetres (82 in.) and in Lunglei, another major center, about 350 centimetres (138 in.)
Mizoram is a land of rolling hills, valleys, rivers and lakes. As many as 21 major hills ranges or peaks of different heights run through the length and breadth of the state, with plains scattered here and there. The average height of the hills to the west of the state are about 1,000 metres (3,281 feet). These gradually rise up to 1,300 metres (4,265 feet) to the east. Some areas, however, have higher ranges which go up to a height of over 2,000 metres (6,562 feet). Phawngpui Tlang also known as the Blue Mountain, situated in the south-eastern part of the state, is the highest peak in Mizoram at 2,210 metres (7,251 feet).
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MRF Pace Foundation
MRF Pace Foundation is a coaching clinic for training fast bowlers from all over the world. This was created with the help of former Australian pace spearhead Dennis Lillee. Through this program, young aspiring fast bowlers are trained under Dennis Lillee in a facility located at the campus of Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School, Chetpet, Chennai. Fast bowlers who trained with the MRF Pace Foundation that went on to represent India include Javagal Srinath, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Venkatesh Prasad, Rudra Pratap Singh, Zaheer Khan and Shanthakumaran Sreesanth. Besides Indian players, foreign players like Chaminda Vaas, Henry Olonga, Heath Streak and Australian fast bowlers Glenn McGrath, Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee have also trained at the Foundation. Sachin Tendulkar in his School days trained in the MRF Pace Foundation to become a fast bowler.
As well as this, they sponsored a blimp which was flown over every match of the 2010 Indian Premier League.
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Mumbai
Mumbai /mʊmˈbaɪ/, also known as Bombay /bɒmˈbeɪ/, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million. Along with the neighbouring urban areas, including the cities of Navi Mumbai and Thane, it is one of the most populous urban regions in the world. Mumbai lies on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. In 2009, Mumbai was named an Alpha world city. Mumbai is also the richest city in India, and has the highest GDP of any city in South, West or Central Asia.
The seven islands that came to constitute Mumbai were home to communities of fishing colonies. For centuries, the islands were under the control of successive indigenous empires before being ceded to the Portuguese and subsequently to the British East India Company. During the mid-18th century, Mumbai was reshaped by the Hornby Vellard project, which undertook the reclamation of the area between the seven constituent islands from the sea. Completed by 1845, the project along with construction of major roads and railways transformed Bombay into a major seaport on the Arabian Sea. Economic and educational development characterised the city during the 19th century. It became a strong base for the Indian independence movement during the early 20th century. When India became independent in 1947, the city was incorporated into Bombay State. In 1960, following the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, a new state of Maharashtra was created with Bombay as capital. The city was renamed Mumbai in 1996.
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Muziris
Muziris (Muchiri or Mucciri, (Malayalam: മുസിരിസ്) was an ancient seaport and urban center in southwestern India on the Periyar that existed from around the beginning of the Christian era to the 1300s. Muziris has found mention in the classical Tamil Sangha literature and a number of European historical sources. In a massive flood of the Periyar in 1341 CE, Muziris was said to have been destroyed and the centre of commerce was shifted to other ports on the Malabar Coast. Soon the exact location of Muziris was forgotten; currently, it is believed to have been located close to the present day Kodungallur.
The multi-disciplinary and multi-seasonal archaeological research in the area was conducted by the Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) at Pattanam, a small village at North Parur. It is hypothesized that Pattanam could be an integral part of Muziris. Pattanam was the first site in the Indian Ocean to yield archaeological evidence for Mediterranean, North African, West Asian and Chinese maritime contacts. The evidence suggested that Pattanam was a commercial location exposed to long distance and regional trade, prior to Roman contact.
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Nagaland
Nagaland /ˈnɑːɡəlænd/ is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur. The state of Nagaland has an area of 16,579 km2 with a population of 1,980,602 (nineteen lakhs eighty thousand six hundred two) as per the 2011 census making it one of the smallest states of India. The state is mostly mountainous except those areas bordering Assam valley. Mount Saramati is the highest peak in Nagaland with a height of 3,840 metres and its range forms a natural barrier between Nagaland and Burma. It lies between the parallels of 98 degree and 96 degree East Longitude and 26.6 degree and 27.4 degree latitude North of the Equator.
Nagaland, the 16th state of the Indian Union, was established on December 1, 1963. It is divided into eleven districts: Kohima, Phek, Mokokchung, Wokha, Zunheboto, Tuensang, Mon, Dimapur, Kiphire, Longleng and Peren. It is a largely mountainous state. Agriculture is the most important economic activity in Nagaland. Principal crops include rice, corn, millets, pulses, tobacco, oilseeds, sugarcane, potatoes and fibres. Other economy boosters are forestry, cottage industries, insurance, real estate and tourism.
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Nagapattinam
Nagapattinam Tamil: நாகப்பட்டினம் (nākappaṭṭinam) (previously spelt Nagapatnam or Negapatam) is a town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Nagapattinam District. It is a prominent seaport on the east coast of India and an important centre of trade and commerce.
The town of Nagapattinam dates back to the Sangam period. The Chudamani Vihara in Nagapattinam was constructed by the Medieval Cholas. Nagapattinam was settled by the Portuguese and later, the Dutch under whom it served as the capital of Dutch Coromandel from 1660 to 1781. In November 1781, Nagapattinam was conquered by the British East India Company. It served as the capital of Tanjore district from 1799 to 1845. In 1991, it became the capital of the newly-created Nagapattinam District. The town was severely damaged by the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004.
Sea-borne trade and fishing are the major sources of income for the town. There are also a number of pilgrimage sites and tourist destinations, notable amongst them being Sikkal Singaravelan Temple, Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, the Nagore Dargah and Puhar.
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Nagercoil
Nagercoil (Tamil: நாகர்கோவில்) (Malayalam: നാഗർകോവിൽ) (aka: Nagerkoil) [3] is the 12th largest town in the southernmost Indian state of Tamil Nadu and a municipality and administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari District. The town is situated close to the tip of the Indian peninsula and is the southernmost town on the Indian mainland.
The town was a part of the erstwhile Travancore state, or later Travancore-Cochin state, till almost a decade after the Indian independence in 1947. In 1956, the city and the District were merged with Tamil Nadu. In its earlier days, the town and its surroundings were known as Nanjilnadu.
Nagercoil derives its name from the famous old Nagaraja Temple (temple of the serpent king) [4] which is in the central part of town. It has been an important temple for Hindus for centuries as well as a tourist attraction. According to certain accounts, it may once have been a Jain temple, as icons of the Jain Tirthankaras — Mahavira and Parsvanatha — are found on the pillars of the temple.[citation needed]
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Namakkal
Namakkal is a city and a municipality in Namakkal district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of Namakkal district. It is the first ISO 14001-2004 certified municipality in Asia for environmental management, specifically the provision and maintenance of water supply, solid waste and sewage management, town planning, lighting and other social services. It is named as Educational city, Poultry city, and Transport city.
It is a part of Kongu Nadu (Kongu Desam) region of Tamil Nadu which was hotly contested and coveted by both the ancient Pallavas and the Pandyas.Namakkal was in the hands of Atiakula King called Gunasila who has marriage with Pallava King. Later the taluk was over run by the Cholas in the Kongu Mandalam .After the struggle between the Cheras, Cholas and Pandiyas, the Hoysalas rose to power and had control till the 14th century followed by Vijayanagar Kings till 1565 AD. Then the Madurai Nayakas came to power in 1623 AD. Two of the Polygons of Thirumalai Nayak namely, Ramachandra Nayaka and Gatti Mudaliars ruled the Salem area. The Namakkal Fort is reported to have been built by Ramachandra Nayakas. After about 1625 AD, the area came successively under the rule of Muslim Sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda Mysore kings and then the Marathas, when about the year 1750 AD. Hyder Ali came to power. During this period, it was a history of power struggle between Hyder Ali and later Tippu, with the British. The Rock Fort in Namakkal is a special feature of the Town. The Fort covers an area of one and half acres of flat surface and is accessible from South-West by a flight of narrow steps. Namakkal was held by Killdhar (Caption) on Hyder Ali until it was captured by British in 1768. For a brief period during late 18th and early 19th century Namakkal was under Tiruchirappalli district of British Rule. Later Namakkal was transferred back to Salem District.
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Namakkal district
Namakkal District is an administrative district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The district was bifurcated from Salem District with Namakkal town as Head Quarters on 25-07-1996 and started to function independently from 01-01-1997. The district has 4 taluks (subdivisions); Tiruchengode, Namakkal, Rasipuram and Velur (in descending order of population) and has two Revenue Divisions; Namakkal and Tiruchengode. It was ranked second in a comprehensive Economic Environment index ranking of districts in Tamil Nadu not including Chennai prepared by Institute for Financial Management and Research in August 2009. It was major source of Tamil Nadu Economy
After the struggle between the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas, the Hoysalas rose to power and had the control till the 14th century followed by Vijayanagara Empire till 1565 AD. Then the Madurai Nayakas came to power in 1623 AD. Two of the Poligans of Tirumalai Nayak namely, Ramachandra Nayaka and Gatti Mudaliars ruled the Salem area. The Namakkal fort is reported to have been built by Ramchandra Nayaka. After about 1635 AD, the area came successively under the rule of Muslim Sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda, Mysore kings and then the Marattas, when about the year 1750 AD Hyder Ali came to power. During this period, it was a history of power struggle between Hyder Ali and later Tippu Sultan, with the British.
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Nellaiappar Temple
Nellaiappar Temple (Tamil: நெல்லைஅப்பர் திருக்கோவில்) is one of the famous Shiva Temples situated at the heart of Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India.
One of the famous temples in Tamil Nadu steeped in tradition and history and also known for its musical pillars and other brilliant sculptural splendours, this is one of the largest temples in South India.[citation needed] This temple houses a shrine to Shiva and Parvati dating back in time. Shiva is said to have been worshipped by Agastya in a bamboo grove and by Rama after having killed Mareecha some nine miles away at Manoor. There is also a shrine to Vishnu near the sanctum, signifying the belief that Nellai Govindan (Vishnu) visited Tirunelveli to officiate the divine marriage of Shiva and Kantimathi. There are several other legends associated with this temple.
The temple dates back to 700 AD and has been sung by the Saivite saint Tirugnana sambandar. Supposedly there were two distinct temples for Shiva and his consort both built by the Pandyan kings and the Sangili Mandapam linking these two were built in the 17th centuries. The towers also date back to early 17th century. There are inscriptions dating all the way back to 950 AD in the temple.
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Neyveli
Neyveli (Tamil: நெய்வேலி) is a mining and power generation township in Cuddalore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located at 11.30° N - 79.29° E. It is 52 km inland from Bay of Bengal, west of Pondicherry (Puducherry) and 197 km south of Chennai. The township was developed after mining of lignite started under the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) in 1956. Today the township covers 53 square kilometres provide around 21,000 houses for the employees.
The Neyveli Lignite Corporation is a public sector enterprise operating out of Neyveli. A large percentage of the thermal power generated in Tamil Nadu comes from the power plants in Neyveli, more than 2500 MegaWatts. The town of Neyveli is well known to locals for its goat herding history. Goats from all over the Cuddalore district are brought to Neyveli for its world class goatherders.
Borewells driven in the now famous peasant Jambulinga Mudhaliyar's land in 1935 revealed the presence of 'black particles'. The analysis of the 'black particles' led to the discovery of a huge lignite reserve beneath the Township of Neyveli. The Neyveli Lignite Corporation was formed as a Corporate Body in 1956 under the Government of India. It is still a Central Government Public Sector Undertaking (PSU). Mining of first lignite seam started in 1962. The first thermal power station was commissioned in 1962 with a capacity of 600 MW. The current capacity of the thermal power stations in Neyveli exceeds 2500 MW.
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Nilgiri mountains
The Nilgiri (Tamil: நீலகிரி, Badaga: நீலகி:ரி or blue mountains), often referred to as the Nilgiri Hills, are a range of mountains with at least 24 peaks above 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), in the westernmost part of Tamil Nadu state at the junction of Karnataka and Kerala states in Southern India. They are part of the larger Western Ghats mountain chain making up the southwestern edge of the Deccan Plateau.
The hills are separated from the Karnataka plateau to the north by the Moyar River and from the Anaimalai Hills and Palni Hills to the south by the Palghat Gap. The Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu lies within these mountains. Its latitudinal and longitudinal dimensions are 130 km (Latitude: 11° 08' to 11° 37' N) by 185 km (Longitude: 76° 27' E to 77° 4' E). Central location is: 11°22′30″N 76°45′30″E / 11.375°N 76.75833°E / 11.375; 76.75833. It has an area of 2,479 square kilometres (957 sq mi).
The Western Ghats, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster (6,000+ km²), including all of Mukurthi National Park in the south-eastern corner of the Nilgiris, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.
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Ooty
Ootacamund (Tamil: ஊடகாமுந்த்) listen (help·info) (officially, Udhagamandalam Tamil: உதகமண்டலம் sometimes abbreviated to Udhagai Tamil: உதகை or Ooty listen (help·info)), is a town, a municipality and the district capital of the Nilgiris district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Ootacamund is a popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills. Originally occupied by the Todas, the area came under the rule of the East India Company at the end of the 18th century. Today the town's economy is based on tourism and agriculture, with manufacturing of medicines and photographic film also present. The town is connected to the rest of India by road and rail, and its historic sites and natural beauty attract tourists.
The origin of the name Udhagamandalam is obscure. The first mention of the place occurs in a letter of March 1821 to the Madras Gazette by an unknown correspondent as Wotokymund. In early times it was called OttaikalMandu "mund" is the Tamil word for a Toda village, and the first part is probably a corruption of the local name for the central region of the Nilgiri Plateau. Another likely origin of the stem of the name (Ootaca) comes from the local language where Otha-Cal literally means Single Stone. This is perhaps a reference to a sacred stone revered by the local Toda people. The name probably changed under British rule from Udhagamandalam to Ootacamund, later shortened to Ooty.
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Orissa
Orissa /ɔːˈrɪsə/ (Oriya: ଓଡ଼ିଶା [oˑɽisaˑ], Hindi: ओड़िशा – Oṛiśā), officially spelled Odisha, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BCE. The modern state of Orissa was established on April 1, 1936, as a province in India, and consists predominantly of Oriya speakers. April 1st is therefore celebrated as Utkala Dibasa (formation day of Orissa). Cuttack remained the capital of the state for over eight centuries until April 13, 1948 when Bhubaneswar was officially declared as the new capital of Orissa, and is the present capital of this state.
Orissa is the ninth largest state by area in India, and the eleventh largest by population. Oriya (officially spelled Odia) is the official and most widely spoken language, spoken by three quarters of the population. Orissa has a relatively unindented coastline (about 480 km long) and lacked good ports, except for the deepwater facility at Paradip, until the recent launch of the Dhamara Port (The Dhamra Port Company Limited (DPCL) is a 50:50 joint venture of L&T and Tata Steel. DPCL has been awarded a concession by Government of Orissa to build and operate a port north of the mouth of river Dhamra in Bhadrak district). The narrow, level coastal strip, including the Mahanadi River delta supports the bulk of the population. The interior of the state is mountainous and sparsely populated.Deomali at 1672 m is the highest point of the state. Orissa is subject to intense cyclones. The most intense one, in October 1999, Tropical Cyclone 05B caused severe damage and nearly 15,000 deaths.
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Palakkad
Palakkad pronunciation (help·info), previously known as Palghat, is a large town and municipality in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km2 and is the administrative headquarters of the Palakkad District. Palakkad is the seventh most populous city in Kerala and lies near the Palghat Gap, a pass or natural depression through the Western Ghats ranges, and connects Kerala to the plains of the state of Tamil Nadu to the east. The city is situated about 350 kilometres (217 mi) north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram and 49 kilometres (30 mi) south west of Coimbatore.
Kerala would have an IIT in Palakkad under the 12th five-year plan. The land belonging to the Instrumentation Limited in Palakkad was finally chosen for the project.Since the IITs are set up by an act of Parliament, the whole process is the centre's prerogative, and the state government has only a limited role.
To the east lies Coimbatore of Tamil Nadu. Palakkad is the gateway to Kerala due to the presence of the Palakkad Gap, in the Western Ghats.
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Palani
Palani (பழனி in Tamil) is a city and a municipality in the Dindigul district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located about 100 km South-east of Coimbatore City and 60 km west of Dindigul. It is the location of the far-famed temple of the god Kartikeya, resorted to by more than 7 million devotees each year.
The town derives its name from the compounding of two Tamil words pazham, meaning fruit, and nee, you, hearking back to the legend of the chief temple. Palani is pronounced using the retroflex approximant L (ழ) of Tamil and may thus also be spelt as "Pazhani" in English.
References exist to the place in ancient Tamil devotional texts. A local tradition holds that a velir chieftain named Bayhun (பேகன்-கடை ஏழு வள்ளல்களில் ஒருவர்), once came upon a peacock in the forests shivering in the cold and chose to cover it using his own upper garment and face the cold, rather than let it die. Although the legend may be apocryphal, it reveals some interesting facts - that the people of the area were numerous enough to have a chieftain of some standing, that peacocks were as plentiful as, if not more than, they are today, that the people venerated peacocks and held them to be sacred to Lord Subrahmanyan as they do today and lastly, that the weather was cold enough to justify a warm upper garment, a circumstance encountered primarily higher up in the hills today.
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Palk Strait
Palk Strait (Tamil: பாக் சலசந்தி) is a strait between the Tamil Nadu state of India and the Mannar district of the Northern Province of the island nation of Sri Lanka. It connects the Bay of Bengal in the northeast with the Palk Bay and thence with the Gulf of Mannar in the southwest. The strait is 33 to 50 miles (53 to 80 km) wide. Several rivers flow into it, including the Vaigai River of Tamil Nadu. The strait is named after Robert Palk, who was a governor of Madras Presidency (1755-1763) during the Company Raj period.
It is studded at its southern end with a chain of low islands and reef shoals that are collectively called Adam's Bridge. This chain extends between Dhanushkodi on Pamban Island (also known as Rameswaram Island) in Tamil Nadu and Mannar Island in Sri Lanka. The island of Rameswaram is linked to the Indian mainland by the Pamban Bridge.
As from 1914, there used to be regular trains from Madras/Chennai to Dhanushkodi, a ferry to Talaimannar on Mannar Island, and thence a train to Colombo. In 1964, a cyclone destroyed Dhanushkodi and the railway and caused severe damage along the shores of Palk Strait and Palk Bay. Dhanushkodi was not rebuilt and the railway from Talaimannar to Mahawilachchiya in Sri Lanka was given up. There was a ferry between small piers in Rameswaram and Talaimannar, but this was discontinued till date.
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Paramakudi
Paramakudi (Tamil: பரமக்குடி) is a town, a municipality in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The river Vaigai flows through Paramakudi on its way to the Bay of Bengal.
As of 2001[update] India census, Paramakudi had a population of 82,239. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Paramakudi has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: Male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 68%. In Paramakudi, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. It is the highest populated town in the district and second largest town in the district of Ramanathapuram.
The nearest towns include Ilaiyangudi, Ramanathapuram, and Sivagangai. The town is at the junction of three districts: Ramnathapuram, Sivagangai and Virudunagar. Paramakudi is 69 km east of Madurai, on route to Rameswaram.
Historically the area was ruled by the Pandyan Dynasty and later by King Sethupathi of Ramanathapuram. According to the ancient epic Ramayana, Lord Rama started his battle against Ravana at Sethu Canal, which is 45 minutes travel from here.
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Perambalur district
Perambalur (Tamil: பெரம்பலூர் மாவட்டம்) is an administrative district in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. The district headquarters are located at Perambalur. The district occupies an area of 1,752 km² and has a population of 4,93,646 (as of 2001), making it the least populous in the state.
Perambalur district is a centrally located inland district of Tamil Nadu, spread over 3,69,007 ha, which was trifurcated from the erstwhile composite Tiruchirappalli district and was formed on 1 November 1995. The district is bounded by Cuddalore district in the north, Tiruchirappalli district in the south, Thanjavur in the east and Namakkal and Tiruchirappalli districts in the west. The total geographical area of the district is 3,69,007 ha, and net sown area and gross sown area are 2,16,422 ha and 2,37,136 ha, respectively. The net area under irrigation is 71,624 ha.
The district lies in the Southern plateau & hill zone of Agro-climate regional planning with characteristics of semi-arid climate. The soil is predominantly red loamy and black soil. The normal rainfall of the district is 908 mm which is less than 946.9 mm, the normal rainfall of the State. The precipitation during northeast monsoon, southwest monsoon and remaining winter & hot weather period account for 52%, 34% and 14% of annual rainfall, respectively.
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Perundurai
Perundurai is a panchayat town and taluk in Erode district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on National Highway 47, which bypasses the city of Erode from here, between Salem and Coimbatore.
It is 20 kilometres from Erode, and exactly at 80 kilometres from both Coimbatore and Salem. Perundurai has developed as the industrial centre of Erode City with SIPCOT Industrial Estate and SEZ Complex.
Perundurai is one of the major and fastest growing area in Erode, also it is well connected by the National Highway 47 ( NH-47 )and State high way whereas the other major towns in the Erode district is not connected by the National Highway.
Perundurai SIPCOT established by the State Government of Tamil Nadu in July,2000, Which is having a land of around 2000 Acres after that this town floating population gradually increasing, because lot of dyeing industries were re-located from Erode, Tirupur and Coimbatore to Perundurai.
SIPCOT has acquired another 1,600 acres (6.5 km2) of land by extending the existing area in 2007. This is due to large demand from the textile industry.
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Phoenicia
Phoenicia (UK /fɨˈnɪʃə/, US /fəˈniːʃə/; from the Greek: Φοινίκη: Phoiníkē), was an ancient Semitic Canaanite civilization situated on the western, coastal part of the Fertile Crescent. The major Phoenician cities were on the coastline of the Mediterranean. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1550 BC to 300 BC. The Phoenicians used the galley, a man-powered sailing vessel, and are credited with the invention of the bireme. They were famed in Classical Greece and Rome as 'traders in purple', referring to their monopoly on the precious purple dye of the Murex snail, used, among other things, for royal clothing, and for their spread of the alphabet (or abjad), upon which all major modern phonetic alphabets are derived.
In the Amarna tablets of the 14th century BC, people from the region called themselves Kenaani or Kinaani (Canaanites), although these letters predate the invasion of the Sea Peoples by over a century. Much later, in the 6th century BC, Hecataeus of Miletus writes that Phoenicia was formerly called χνα, a name Philo of Byblos later adopted into his mythology as his eponym for the Phoenicians: "Khna who was afterwards called Phoinix". Egyptian seafaring expeditions had already been made to Byblos to bring back "cedars of Lebanon" as early as the third millennium BC.
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Pollachi
Pollachi (Tamil: பொள்ளாச்சி) is a taluk of Coimbatore Rural district of the Tamil Nadu state of India. It lies in the southern part of the Coimbatore city around 40 kilometres from downtown Coimbatore. This is the second largest town in the District after Corporation of Coimbatore. Owing to the proximity to the Western Ghats, Pollachi has a pleasant climate throughout the year. Pollachi is very popular for its markets, especially for jaggery, fresh vegetables and cattle. The Jaggery Market in Pollachi is Asia's largest of its kind. The Central part of Kerala totally dependes upon the vegetables from Pollachi. Cattle Market of Pollachi is the biggest of its kind in Southern India.
During ancient times, Pollachi was known as "porul achi" (Tamil: பொழில் வாய்ச்சி' which means "The land of natural wealth and prosperity" (One can find this name in the Lord Subramanyar temple in Pollachi). The name Pozhil Vaichi has changed into Pollachi over time. The historic town of Pollachi was once known as Mudi Konda Chola Nallur during the period of Kulottunga Chola-III. The Subramanyar temple here is an ancient one, with a history that goes back about eight centuries. It is believed that the Subramanyar temple here was once a Shiva temple, enshrining Agastheeswaram Udaiyaar, with the festival deity being Subramanyar. Much of the construction in the temple belongs to the 20th century. There is another story about the Origin of the name. Pollachi was known as "Porull Aatchi" (Tamil: பொருள் ஆட்சி) which means "The land of wealthy Government". In the olden days, it was said that anything can be sold/bought in/from Pollachi market (including elephants) except one's parents.
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Pondicherry
Puducherry /ˌpɒndɨˈtʃɛri/ is a Union Territory of India formed out four enclaves of former French India and named for the largest, Pondicherry.
In September 2006, the territory changed its official name from Pondicherry to Puducherry, which means "New village" in the Tamil language. The territory is called புதுச்சேரி (Putuccēri) or பாண்டிச்சேரி (Pāṇṭiccēri) in Tamil, or Pondichéry in French. It is also known as "The French Riviera of the East" (La Côte d'Azur de l'Est).
Pondicherry consists of four small unconnected districts: Pondicherry, Karaikal and Yanam on the Bay of Bengal and Mahé on the Arabian Sea. Pondicherry and Karaikal are by far the larger ones and are both enclaves of Tamil Nadu. Yanam and Mahé are enclaves of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala respectively. The territory has a total area of 492 km²: Pondicherry (city) 293 km², Karaikal 160 km², Mahé 9 km² and Yanam 30 km². It has 900,000 inhabitants (2001).
Some of those enclaves are themselves amalgamations of non-contiguous enclaves, often called pockets in India. Thus, Pondicherry district is made of 12 pockets, some of whom are very small (see map) and entirely surrounded by the territory of Tamil Nadu. For its part, Mahe district is made of 3 pockets. This unusual geography is a legacy of the colonial period since the U.T. of Puducherry has retained the borders of former French India.
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Pudukkottai
Pudukkottai (Tamil: புதுக்கோட்டை) is a town and a municipality in Pudukkottai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Pudukkottai District was carved out of Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur districts in January 1974. It is the administrative headquarters of Pudukkottai District.
The well known Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan was born in Pudukkotai.
The princely state of Pudukottai was created by Raghunatha Thondaiman.
Raghunatha Kilavan Setupati of Ramnad (1673–1708 A.D.) married Kathali Nachiar the sister of Thondaiman, he appointed his brother in law Raghunatha Thondaiman as a chief of the district of Pudukottai. Raghunatha Thondaiman was earlier ruling Thirumayam. In appreciation of Raghunatha Tondaman's services, Raghunatha Kilavan Setupati has given Pudukkottai as an honour for his services.
In later centuries, the Thondaiman rulers, while nominally feudatories of the Ramnad state, often pursued an independent foreign policy, a trend common in all parts of India at that time. After the death of Raghunatha Kilavan Setupati he become ruler of Pudukottai.
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Pudukkottai district
Pudukkottai District (Tamil: புதுக்கோட்டை மாவட்டம்) is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Pudukkottai is the district headquarters. It is also known colloquially as Pudhugai (Tamil: புதுகை).
Pudukkottai district is bounded on the northeast and east by Thanjavur District, on the southeast by the Palk Strait, on the southwest by Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts, and on the west and northwest by Tiruchirapalli District
The district has an area of 4663 km² with a coastline of 42 km. The district lies between 78° 25' and 79° 15' east longitude and between 9° 50' and 10° 40' of the north latitude.
On 14 January 1974, Pudukkottai was organised as a separate district comprising the former Pudukkottai Division of Tiruchirappalli district with some additions from Thanjavur District. At present, this district is composed of two Revenue Divisions, namely, Pudukkottai and Aranthangi and eleven Taluks, namely, Kulathur, Illuppur, Alangudi Pudukkottai, Gandarvakottai, Thirumayam, Aranthangi, Ponnamaravathi, Karambakudi, Avudaiyarkoil and Manamelkudi. There are 762 Revenue Villages.
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Pulicat
Pulicat (Pazhaverkadu) is a historic seashore town in Thiruvallur District, of Tamil Nadu state, South India. It is about 60 km north of Chennai and 3 km from Elavur, on the barrier island of Sriharikota, which separates Pulicat Lake from the Bay of Bengal. Pulicat lake is a shallow salt water lagoon which stretches about 60 kilometers (37 mi) km along the coast. With lakeside and seashore development as well as several SEZs including a US $1 billion Medical SEZ, coming up in nearby Elavur, the land prices in the area are in the upswing.
The Portuguese established a trading post in Pulicat in 1502 with the help of the Vijayanagar rulers. They built a fort there and held this fort until 1609 when they were defeated by the Dutch. The Dutch occupied Pulicat fort in 1609. Pulicat was till 1690 the capital of Dutch Coromandel. It repeatedly changed possession, until finally occupied by the British in 1825. It became part of the Madras Presidency, which later became Madras state in independent India and renamed Tamil Nadu in 1968. The Dutch church has been built over several times and is rather dilapidated today, and the Dutch fort has fallen into ruin. The old lighthouse still stands at the opposite bank of the lake. The cemetery dating to 1622 has been taken under the wing of the Archeological Survey of India and so has survived the passage of time. The grand, Dutch inscribed tombs and graves, carved with skeletons rather than the cross, have been quite well preserved. The cemetery lies behind the market and visitors often don't know that it is there. Many thousands of visitors per year come to the area which is renowned for its history and natural beauty.
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Rajapalayam
Rajapalayam (Tamil:இராஜபாளையம்) is a town and a special grade municipality in Virudhunagar district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located 85 km southwest of Madurai in the state of Tamil Nadu. Its main attractions are the Ayyanar Falls and the neighbour town of Srivilliputtur. The economy is based on the manufacture of textiles, and there are mills for spinning and weaving cotton, as well as a large cotton market. It's also known for the Rajapalayam breed of dog.
Initially, agriculture was the principal source of living for the people of Rajapalayam. In the mid 1900s, Rajapalayam gradually evolved into a thriving business community. Due to various ambitious entrepreneurs and hard-working people, commerce developed quickly in the region and several industries, particularly cotton-based, flourished. Hence it got the name "Cotton city". Today Rajapalayam is one of the most industrialized cities in southern Tamil Nadu and people of all communities and religions live and contribute for its growth.[citation needed]
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Rajasthan
Rājasthān /ˈrɑːdʒəstæn/ (Hindustani pronunciation: [raːdʒəsˈt̪ʰaːn] ( listen)) the land of Rajasthanis, ("the land of kings"), is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert), which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with Pakistan. The state is bordered by Pakistan to the west, Gujarat to the southwest, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the northeast and Punjab to the north. Rajasthan covers 10.4% of India, an area of 342,269 square kilometres (132,151 sq mi).
Jaipur is the capital and the largest city of the state. Geographical features include the Thar Desert along north-western Rajasthan and the termination of the Ghaggar River near the archaeological ruins at Kalibanga of the Indus Valley Civilization, which are the oldest in the Indian subcontinent discovered so far.
One of the world's oldest mountain ranges, the Aravalli Range, cradles the only hill station of Rajasthan, Mount Abu, famous for Dilwara Temples, a sacred pilgrimage for Jains. Eastern Rajasthan has the world famous Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur, a World Heritage Site known for its bird life. It also has two national tiger reserves, Ranthambore and Sariska Tiger Reserve, and a famous temple in Khatu, Sikar district, dedicated to Khatu Shyam Ji. Rajasthan was formed on 30 March 1949, when the region known until then as Rajputana, consisting of erstwhile princely states ruled mainly by Rajputs.
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Ranipet
Ranipet is a suburb town and industrial hub of Vellore in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. It is a medium-sized community located about 21 kilometers from the Vellore city center and 100 kilometers from Chennai, the fourth largest urban area in India. It is a major industrial town in the Chennai-Bangalore highway.
This town is situated on the northern bank of the Palar river.
As of 2001[update] India census, Ranipettai had a population of 47,236. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Ranipettai has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 74%. In Ranipettai, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Ranipet is 110 km from Chennai, by road. Walajah Road Railway Station is the nearest railhead, while the nearest railway junction is Vellore-Katpadi Jn, 17 km from Ranipet. The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport.
There are a number of large and medium scale leather industries making both finished leather and leather articles such as shoes and garments for export. There are other small scale industries in Ranipet mostly engaged in chemical, leather and tool making. These industries are the major lifeline for the town.
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Salem district
Salem District is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Salem is the district headquarters. Other major towns in the district are Mettur, Omalur and Attur. The district is well connected by rail and road networks.
Salem district is known for its mangoes, steel and for the Mettur dam, which is a major source of irrigation and drinking water for the state of Tamil Nadu.
The culture of the region including Salem district dates back to the ancient Kongu Nadu. Salem was the largest district in Tamil Nadu before it was divided into two districts: Salem and Dharmapuri. Later, Salem district was again divided with the formation of the Namakkal district. The first cinema theater named Modern Theaters was in Salem[citation needed]. Salem city, the seat of the district, is the fourth most urbanized city in Tamil Nadu (following Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai).
Located approximately midway between Bengaluru and Madurai, Salem district is surrounded by hills. Yercaud, a mild-weather hill station, is an important tourism destination in the district.
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Salem District
Salem District is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Salem is the district headquarters. Other major towns in the district are Mettur, Omalur and Attur. The district is well connected by rail and road networks.
Salem district is known for its mangoes, steel and for the Mettur dam, which is a major source of irrigation and drinking water for the state of Tamil Nadu.
The culture of the region including Salem district dates back to the ancient Kongu Nadu. Salem was the largest district in Tamil Nadu before it was divided into two districts: Salem and Dharmapuri. Later, Salem district was again divided with the formation of the Namakkal district. The first cinema theater named Modern Theaters was in Salem[citation needed]. Salem city, the seat of the district, is the fourth most urbanized city in Tamil Nadu (following Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai).
Located approximately midway between Bengaluru and Madurai, Salem district is surrounded by hills. Yercaud, a mild-weather hill station, is an important tourism destination in the district.
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Shore Temple
The Shore Temple (built in 700-728 AD) is so named because it overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. It was built on a promontory sticking out into the Bay of Bengal at Mahabalipuram, a village south of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. The village was a busy port during the 7th and 8th century reign of the Pallava dynasty during the reign of Narasimhavarman II.
As one of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, it has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the oldest structural (versus rock-cut) stone temples of South India.
The Shore Temple is a five-storeyed structural Hindu temple rather than rock-cut as are the other monuments at the site. It is the earliest important structural temple in Southern India. Its pyramidal structure is 60 ft high and sits on a 50 ft square platform. There is a small temple in front which was the original porch.
It is made out of finely cut local granite.
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Sikkim
Sikkim (/ˈsɪkɨm/; Devanagari: सिक्किम, i.e. the "Goodly Region", or Shikim, Shikimpati or Sikkim;Lepcha: Mayel Lyang; Limbu: Yuksom, "one of the fortified place";Standard Tibetan: འབྲས་ལྗོངས་, Bras Ljongs, Denzong or Demojongs) is a landlocked Indian state located in the Himalayan mountains. The state borders Nepal to the west, China's Tibet Autonomous Region to the north and east, and Bhutan to the southeast, while the state of West Bengal lies to the south.
With around 607,000 inhabitants as of 2011[update], Sikkim is the least populous state in India and the second-smallest state after Goa in total area, covering approximately 7,096 km2 (2,740 sq mi). Sikkim is nonetheless geographically diverse due to its location in the Himalayas; the climate ranges from subtropical to high alpine, and Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak, is located on Sikkim's border with Nepal. Sikkim is a popular tourist destination, owing to its culture, scenery and biodiversity. It also has the only open land border between India and China. Sikkim's capital and largest city is Gangtok.
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Sivaganga district
Sivaganga District (Tamil: சிவகங்கை மாவட்டம்) is an administrative district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Sivaganga is the district headquarters. It is bounded by Pudukkottai district on the Northeast, Tiruchirapalli district on the North, Ramanathapuram district on South East, Virudhunagar district on South West and Madurai District on the West.
Sivaganga District has been carved out from composite Ramnad District as per G.O. MS. No. 1122 Rev. Dept. Dated. 6.7.84 and the District was functioning from 15.3.85 as per G.O Ms.No. 346 Rev. dept. Dated: 8.3.85.
According to the 2011 census Sivaganga district has a population of 1,341,250, roughly equal to the nation of Swaziland or the US state of Maine. This gives it a ranking of 360th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 324 inhabitants per square kilometre (840 /sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 16.09 %. Sivaganga has a sex ratio of 1000 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 80.46 %.
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Sivakasi
Sivakasi (Tamil: சிவகாசி ) is an active town and a municipality in Virudhunagar District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the capital of India’s firecracker industry with about 8,000 factories, big and small, producing 90 percent of the total fireworks output. Looking at the activeness of the people, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India nicknamed Sivakasi as "Kutti Japan" which means "Little Japan".
There are almost 400 manufacturers based in the city. Beside fireworks factories, there are many printing presses with in-house studios and artists, which produce a variety of colourful posters and calendar art.
In the 2001 Indian census, Sivakasi had a population of 72,170. Males constitute 51.76% of the population and females 48.24%. Sivakasi has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 74.4%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 72%. In Sivakasi, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Sivakasi is more than 600 years old. Between 1428 and 1460 AD, King Harikesari Parakkirama Pandian ruled the southern region of Madurai. He wanted to construct a temple for Lord Shiva at Tenkasi; so he went to Kasi (now Varanasi) and brought away a lingam. While returning to his palace with the prized lingam, he took rest under a grove of vilva trees, which are favored by Shiva. When the cow carrying the lingam refused to move from that point, the king realized that the wishes of Lord Shiva were different from his own, and placed the lingam in the place where the cow had halted. That place, sanctified by the "shivalingam brought from Kasi", came to be called Sivakasi.
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South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area (635780 km² or 245476.030 mi²). The region is also known as Dravida as is used in the National anthem.
South India lies in the peninsular Deccan Plateau and is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west, the Indian Ocean in the south and the Bay of Bengal in the east. The geography of the region is diverse, encompassing two mountain ranges, the Western and Eastern Ghats, and a plateau heartland. The Godavari, Krishna, Tungabhadra and Kaveri rivers are important non-perennial sources of water.
A majority of Indians from the southern region speak one of the Dravidian languages: Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Tulu, and Kodava. During its history, a number of dynastic kingdoms ruled over parts of South India whose invasions across southern and southeastern Asia impacted the history and cultures of modern sovereign states such as Sri Lanka, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. The region was colonised by Britain and gradually incorporated into the British Empire.
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Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (i/ʃriː ˈlɑːŋkə/, /sriːˈlɑːŋkə/, or /sriːˈlæŋkə/;Sinhala: ශ්රී ලංකාව, Tamil: இலங்கை), is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent in South Asia. Known until 1972 as Ceylon ( /sɨˈlɒn/, /seɪˈlɒn/, or /siːˈlɒn/), Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar, the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the Maldives.
As a result of its location in the path of major sea routes, Sri Lanka is a strategic naval link between West Asia and South East Asia. It was an important stop on the ancient Silk Road. Sri Lanka has also been a center of the Buddhist religion and culture from ancient times, being the nation where the Buddhist teachings were first written down as well as the oldest continually Buddhist country. Sri Lanka boasts a diverse range of cultures, languages and religions. The Sinhalese people form the majority of the population; Tamils, who are concentrated in the north and east of the island, form the largest ethnic minority. Other communities include Moors, Burghers, Kaffirs, Malays and the aboriginal Vedda people.
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Tamil Eelam
Tamil Eelam (Tamil: தமிழீழம் tamiḻ īḻam, generally rendered outside Tamil-speaking areas as தமிழ் ஈழம்), is the name given by Tamils in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora to the independent state which they aspire to create in the north and east of Sri Lanka. Tamil Eelam has no official status or recognition by world states though sections of the Eelam were under defacto control of the LTTE for most of the 2000s. The name is derived from the ancient Tamil name for Sri Lanka, Eelam.
Evidence of a settlement of people with burial practices similar to that found in the Tamil Nadu region in India and further North was excavated at megalithic burial sites at Pomparippu in the western coast and in Kathiraveli in the eastern coast. These are dated between 2nd century BC and 2nd century AD. Although it is not known when ethnic Tamils first settled in Sri Lanka. Tamil royal dynasties in this period are known to have patronized Tamil Saivite culture in the east that parralled the growth of the community in the area, and by the 6th century, a special coastal route by boat was functioning to the Koneswaram temple of Trincomalee and Thirukkovil temple of Batticaloa. It wasn't until the 13th century that there was firm evidence of the rise of a significant Tamil Hindu social formation in the Jaffna Peninsula, complete with a Hindu king and a palace, in the aftermath of the collapse of the classical Sinhala Dry Zone civilisations. By the 11th and 12th centuries AD the upper half of the eastern province had a large Tamil community.
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Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu /ˈtæmɨl ˈnɑːduː/ (Tamiḻ Nāṭu [t̪amɨɭ naːɖɯ] ( listen)) is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital is Chennai, the largest city. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. It is bound by the Eastern Ghats in the north, the Nilgiri, the Anamalai Hills, and Palakkad on the west, by the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Gulf of Mannar, the Palk Strait in the south east, and by the Indian Ocean in the south.
Tamil Nadu is the eleventh largest state in India by area and the seventh most populous state. It is the fourth largest contributor (as of 2010) to India's GDP and ranks tenth in Human Development Index as of 2006. Tamil Nadu is also the most urbanised state in India. The state has the highest number (10.56%) of business enterprises and stands second in total employment (9.97%) in India, compared to the population share of about 6%.
The region has been the home of the Tamil people since at least 500 BCE. Its official language Tamil has been in use in inscriptions and literature for over 2000 years. Tamil Nadu is home to many natural resources, Hindu temples of Dravidian architecture, hill stations, beach resorts, multi-religious pilgrimage sites and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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Thanjavur
Thanjavur, formerly Tanjore, is a municipality and the headquarters of the Thanjavur District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The name Thanjavur is derived from "Tanjan", a legendary asura in Hindu mythology. Thanjavur is one of the ancient cities in India and has a long and varied history dating back to the Sangam period. The town was founded by Mutharayar king Swaran Maran and rose to prominence during the rule of the Later Cholas when it served as the capital of the Chola empire. After the fall of the Cholas, the city was ruled by various dynasties like Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks and British. It has been a part of independent India since 1947.
Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian art and architecture. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments are located in and around Thanjavur. The foremost among the Great Living Chola temples, the Brihadeeswara Temple, is located in the center of the city. Thanjavur is also the home of the Tanjore painting, a painting style unique to the region. The city is an important agricultural center located at the heart of the region, known as the Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu. South Zone Culture Centre in Thanjavur is one of many regional cultural centres established by Indian Government to preserve and promote traditional cultural heritage of India. It had a population of a 2,90,732 in 2011.
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Thanjavur District
Thanjavur District (Tamil: தஞ்சாவூர் மாவட்டம்) is one of the 32 districts of the state of Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. Its headquarters is Thanjavur.
The district is located at 10°05′N 79°10′E / 10.08°N 79.16°E / 10.08; 79.16 in Central Tamil Nadu bounded on the northeast by Nagapattinam District, on the east by Tiruvarur District, on the south by the Palk Strait, of Bay of Bengal on the west by Pudukkottai District, and on the north by the river Kollidam, across which lie Tiruchirappalli and Perambalur districts.
According to the 2011 census Thanjavur district has a population of 2,402,781, roughly equal to the nation of Kuwait or the US state of New Mexico. This gives it a ranking of 185th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 691 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,790 /sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 8.42 %. Thanjavur has a sex ratio of 1031 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 82.72 %.
This district lies at the Kaveri delta region, the most fertile region in the state. The district is the main Rice producing region in the state and hence known as the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu. Kaveri River and its tributaries irrigate the district. Apart from paddy, farmers here grow Coconut and Sugarcane and it is the largest producer of Coconut in Tamil Nadu.
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Thanjavur district
Thanjavur District (Tamil: தஞ்சாவூர் மாவட்டம்) is one of the 32 districts of the state of Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. Its headquarters is Thanjavur.
The district is located at 10°05′N 79°10′E / 10.08°N 79.16°E / 10.08; 79.16 in Central Tamil Nadu bounded on the northeast by Nagapattinam District, on the east by Tiruvarur District, on the south by the Palk Strait, of Bay of Bengal on the west by Pudukkottai District, and on the north by the river Kollidam, across which lie Tiruchirappalli and Perambalur districts.
According to the 2011 census Thanjavur district has a population of 2,402,781, roughly equal to the nation of Kuwait or the US state of New Mexico. This gives it a ranking of 185th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 691 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,790 /sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 8.42 %. Thanjavur has a sex ratio of 1031 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 82.72 %.
This district lies at the Kaveri delta region, the most fertile region in the state. The district is the main Rice producing region in the state and hence known as the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu. Kaveri River and its tributaries irrigate the district. Apart from paddy, farmers here grow Coconut and Sugarcane and it is the largest producer of Coconut in Tamil Nadu.
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Tharangambadi
Tharangambadi (formerly Tranquebar) is a panchayat town in Nagapattinam district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, 15 km north of Karaikal, near the mouth of a distributary of the Kaveri River. Tharangambadi is the headquarters of Tharangambadi taluk. Its name means "place of the singing waves". It was a Danish colony from 1620 to 1845, and in Danish it is still known as Trankebar.
Tharangambadi is located at 11°02′N 79°50′E / 11.03°N 79.84°E / 11.03; 79.84.
The earliest reference to Tarangampadi occurs in a 14th century inscription, mentioning the place as Sadanganpade. Tranquebar was founded by the Danish East India Company in 1620, when a factory (commercial settlement) was opened and a fort, known as Fort Dansborg, was built by a Danish captain named Ove Gjedde. This fort was the residence and headquarters of the governor and other officials for about 150 years. It is now a museum hosting a collection of artifacts from the colonial era.
Among the first Protestant missionaries to set foot in India were two Lutherans from Germany, Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg and Heinrich Pluetschau, who began work in 1705 in the Danish settlement of Tranquebar. They translated the Bible into the local Tamil language, and afterwards into Hindustani. They also established a printing press, which within a hundred years of its establishment in 1712 had printed 300 books in Tamil. At first they only made little progress in their religious efforts, but gradually the mission spread to Madras, Cuddalore and Tanjore. Today bishop of Tranquebar is the official title of a bishop in the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church (TELC) in South India which was founded in 1919 as a result of the German Lutheran Leipzig Mission and Church of Sweden Mission. The seat of the Bishop, the Cathedral and its Church House ("Tranquebar House") is in Tiruchirappalli.
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Theni
Theni pronunciation (help·info) is a town in the Western Tamil Nadu state of South India. It is the headquarters of Theni District. It is known for the large-scale trading of Cardamom, Cotton, Grapes, Chilli and Textiles. It hosts the second largest weekly market in Tamil Nadu and the fourth largest in South India. It is well-connected by rail and road to Madurai and by road to all the important cities in Tamil Nadu. The nearest airport is at Madurai.
Theni district is surrounded by the Western Ghats. The main occupation of people of Theni is agriculture. The Vaigai River flows through this district. Other important rivers include the Mullaiperiyar, Suruliyaru, Varaganadi, Kottakkudiyaru, and Manjalaru rivers.
Theni has a historic background during the 19th century. There were many antagonists against British rule like Marutha Nayagam.
The famous Saneeswaran (God of Saturn) temple is located in the Kucchanur Village.It is a Suyambhu statue and Pathirakaliyamman Temple, Pathirakalipuram.
Theni district is rich in flora and fauna. Many dams have been constructed on the rivers, including Vaigai Dam, Sothupparai Dam, Manjalaru Dam, and Meghamalai Dam. Several famous waterfalls are here: Suruli Falls, Kumbakarai Falls and Meghamalai Falls. Theni is surrounded by many tourist attractions like Kodaikannal, Thekkady, Meghamalai, Munnar, Kumbakkarai, Sothuppaarai and Vaigai dam. Because Theni's scenic environment, it is one of the most favoured shooting spots of the Tamil film industry. Thekkady wildlife sanctuary is a nearby attraction which lays in the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. There is a temple where Kannaki (historic character) was believed to be turned statue.
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Theni district
Theni District (Tamil: தேனி மாவட்டம்) is a district of Tamil Nadu state in South India. The city of Theni is the district headquarters. The district is divided into two natural divisions: The hilly areas constituted by parts of the three taluks Periyakulam, Uthamapalayam and Andipatti with thick vegetation and perennial streams from the hills on the western side and Cumbum valley which lies in Uthamapalayam taluk.
Theni District was formed by the bifurcation from erstwhile Madurai District as per G.O. Ms. No. 679 Revenue Department Dated July 7, 1996. Consequent to the bifurcation, one new Revenue Division with headquarters at Uthamapalayam and two new Taluks at Theni and Bodinayakanur were also created with effect from January 1, 1997. Theni Municipal town was only a firka headquarters until December 31, 1996. Consequent to the formation of the new District, Theni Municipal Town was upgraded as the Taluk and District headquarters on January 1, 1997.
The region covered by present day Theni District was scarcely populated before 1900s. In 1886 Mullaperiyar dam project brings some part of water from Periyaar River downhill to Cumbum Valley and merge into Mullai river. This project helped more people to settle down in Cumbum Valley. Also to be noted that Theni is itself a small and less-known town by 1900s. After the Mulllai-Periyaar merger project lots of people from nearby dry arid regions (Sivakasi, Kovilpatti, Virudhunagar, Sattur and several nearby towns) settled in Cumbum-Valley (present day Theni District). So there was influx of people by 1890s to 1920s. Bodi and Allinagaram are famous places at that age. Later Theni developed in rapid pace due to lots of business activities.
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Thiruvaiyaru
Thiruvaiyaru (also spelt as Tiruvaiyaru) (Tamil: திருவையாறு) is a panchayat town in Thanjavur District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is situated on the banks of the river Kaveri, 13 km from Thanjavur, Thiruvaaiyaru has an old Shiva temple dedicated to Panchanatheeswar. Though pilgrims flock to this temple throughout the year, Thiruvaiyaru is more renowned for its association with Saint Thyagaraja, who, along with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Sastri, comprises the Trinity of Carnatic music. Thiruvaiyaru means Five Rivers around the city. The Five Rivers are Arisilaaru, Vennaaru, Vettaaru, Kudamuruttiyaaru and Kaveriaaru.
Thiruvaiyaru is the headquarters of the Thiruvaiyaru taluk. Thiruvaiyaru is a small, quiet town. However, its modesty belies its importance as a pilgrim centre. On the highway from Thanjavur, you pass five bridges ' over the Vadavar, Vettar, Vennar, Kudamurutti and Cauvery, the five rivers from which Thiruvaiyaru gets its name (thiru = sacred; ai = five; aaru = river). The presiding deity of the Shiva temple here, Panchanatheesvarar (in Tamil, Ayyarappan ' both mean the same thing, `the Lord of the Five Rivers') also gets his name from them. Thiruvaiyaru is considered as holy as Varanasi and bathing in the Cauvery here is as guaranteed to rid devotees of sins as bathing in the Ganges.
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Thoothukudi district
Thoothukudi District(Tamil: தூத்துக்குடி மாவட்டம்), also known as Tuticorin District, is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) is the district headquarters. It is also known for Pearl cultivation with abundance of pearls found in the seas of Thoothukudi. It is known as the gate way of Tamil Nadu.
Thoothukudi district is situated in the extreme South-Eastern corner of Tamil Nadu. It is bounded on the north by the districts of Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar, and Ramanathapuram, on the east and southeast by the Gulf of Mannar and on the west and southwest by Tirunelveli district. The total area of the district is 4621 km². The administrative headquarters is an urban agglomeration and also one of the taluk headquarters within. Thoothukkudi District was derived from Tirunelveli District in 1986.
The district of Thoothukudi was carved out as a separate district on 20 October 1986 as a result of bifurcation of the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu State. Thiru. R. Arumugam, I.A.S. was the first Collector of this District.
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Thungapuram
Thungapuram (Tamil: துங்கபுரம் (எ) குலோத்துங்கசோழபுரம் (எ) சிறு மதுரை) is a panchayat village of Perambalur district, Tamil Nadu, India. It was formerly in Tiruchirappalli district
The historical name of Thungapuram is Kulothunga Chozhapuram. In the period of Kulothunga Chola kings this village was very famous for its festivals. Every year 12 festivals have conducted by this village, every month have one festivel, The shape of this street was prised equivalent to madurai (square shape), hence it is called as Siru Madurai even it is too small compared to Madurai. Since there exists another village in the same name this village is renamed as Thungapuram by the postal department of India. In the period of kulothunga chola made two important temples, the first one lord siva "Sokkanathar Temple". Another one lard "Varatharaja Perumal Temple. These two temples are very old around 1000 years ago.
It is famous for its cement industries in and around it. This is possible due to its immense limestone store which is the potential raw material for cement industries. In particular the Arasu cements, the Birla cements, the Sakthi cements, the Dalmia cements, the Tamil Nadu cements, etc. are situated in Near Thungapuram. It is also familiar for the Kaliyaperumaal Temple situated at 25 km from Thungapuram. The famous Kangaikonda cholapuram is situated near to it. This town is famous for the temple which was built by the King Rajendra Cholan of Chola Empire. The King Rajendra Cholan is the son of Rajaraja Cholan who built Tanjore Temple.
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Tiruchirappalli
Tiruchirappalli ((tiruccirāppaḷḷi) pronunciation (help·info)) (spelt as Trichinopoly in the records of British India), also called Tiruchi or Trichy, is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli District. It is the fourth largest municipal corporation in Tamil Nadu and also the fourth largest urban agglomeration in the state.
The city is believed to be of significant antiquity and has been ruled, at different times, by the Early Cholas, Early Pandyas, Pallavas, Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Later Pandyas, Delhi Sultanate, Madurai Sultanate, Vijayanagar Empire, Nayak Dynasty, the Carnatic state and the British. The archaeologically important town of Uraiyur which served as the capital of the Early Cholas is a suburb of Tiruchirappalli. Tiruchirappalli played a critical role in the Carnatic Wars between the British and the French East India companies. The city has a number of historical monuments, the Rockfort, Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam and the Jambukeswarar temple at Thiruvanaikaval being the most prominent among them.
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Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli ( pronunciation (help·info)), also known as Nellai, and historically (during British rule) as Tinnevelly, is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Tirunelveli District in Tamil Nadu. It is situated 700 kilometres (435 mi) southwest of the state capital Chennai.
Tirunelveli is an ancient city and is home to many temples and shrines, including the largest Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, the Nellaiappar Temple. It is located on the western side of the perennial Thamirabarani river, whereas its twin municipal city Palayamkottai, is located on the eastern side.
The history of Tirunelveli was researched by Robert Caldwell, one of the Christian missionaries who visited the area in the nineteenth century for the purpose of both promoting their religious beliefs and educating the people.
Tirunelveli had been under the prominence of the Pandya kings, serving as their secondary capital while Madurai remained its primary capital. It was an important city of the Chola kingdom (c.900–1200) and of the Vijayanagar empire. The city was the chief commercial town in the period of Arcot Nawabs and Nayaks. They were among the various ruling dynasties of Tamil Nadu. In fact, they called the city "Nellai Cheemai", with cheemai meaning a developed foreign town. It was the Nayaks who, in 1781, granted its revenues and local administration to the British. In 1801, it was annexed by the British, who governed it until India achieved independence in 1947.
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Tirunelveli district
Tirunelveli District (Tamil: திருநெல்வேலி மாவட்டம்) is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Tirunelveli is the district headquarters. A unique feature of this district is that it encompasses all five geographical traditions of Tamil Literature; kurinji (mountains), mullai (forest), marudham (paddy fields), neithal (coastal) and palai (desert). Tirunelveli District was formed on September 1, 1790 by the East India Company (on behalf of the British government), and comprised the present Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts and parts of Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram districts. It is the second-largest district (as of October 2008), after Villupuram district.
The founding date of Tirunelveli District is commemorated as Tirunelveli Day. The British East India Company named it Tinnevelly district; its headquarters was first located in Palayamkottai (an adjacent city), where it had its military headquarters during its operations against the Palayakars. There are three reasons attributed for naming the district Tirunelveli. The primary reason is after the largest city of the district; another reason is that it was called Tirunelveli Seemai under the Nayaks and Nawabs. Finally, it served as the southern capital during the Pandyan Empire. Both Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai grew as twin cities in the district.
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Tirupur
Tirupur (Tiruppur, [t̪ɪɾɨppuːr]) pronounced as Tirupur (help·info) is a textile city located on the banks of Noyyal River. It is also called Dollar city.[citation needed] It is the administrative headquarters of the Tiruppur district. It forms a part of the ancient Kongu Nadu region of South India, where its people were the first to establish territorial state. Tirupur is a textile hub and a vast generator of employment for unskilled temporary workers.[citation needed]
Tiruppur was constituted as Municipality during the year 1947. It was upgraded as Special Grade Municipality during 1983 and upgrades as Corporation from 2008. The total area of the Municipality is 27.19 km2 with 52 wards.It is increased to 60 wards from the year 2011 local elections.Total population as per 2011 census is 444,543. The floating population of the town an average 150,000. The population in the Tiruppur urban agglomeration according to 2011 census is 962,982.[citation needed] Tiruppur is the 7th largest city in Tamil Nadu in terms of city population and area after Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Salem and Tirunelveli.
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Tiruvallur district
Tiruvallur district (Tamil: திருவள்ளூர் மாவட்டம்) is an administrative district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The town of Thiruvallur is the district headquarters. The district has a mixture of urban and rural characteristics. The Eastern part of Tiruvallur district is dominated by urban characteristics while the Southern and Northern part of the district has influence of Andhra culture due to its position. The languages spoken in the district are Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam and Urdu. The district is dominated by the Hindus while people belonging to other religions are also present.
The district has been divided into three revenue divisions viz, Tiruvallur, Tiruttani and Ponneri. There are three taluks under Thiruvallur division, two taluks under Tiruttani divisions and four taluks under Ponneri division. There are 46 firkas and 820 revenue villages. Likewise there are 14 blocks, 12 Municipalities and 13 town panchayats which implement rural development activities.
The word "Tiruvallur" is supposedly derived from the Tamil sentence "tiru evvull?" meaning, "Tiru" - god (a common prefix in South India for temple towns), "evvull" - where do I sleep. So, Tiruvallur means, a place/town where, the god, Veera Raghavar asked a saint for a place to sleep for a night.
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Tiruvarur district
Tiruvarur district (Tamil: திருவாரூர் மாவட்டம்) is one of the 30 districts in the Tamil Nadu state of India. The district occupies an area of 2161 km². It is lies between Nagapattinam district on the east and Thanjavur District on the west, and is bounded by the Palk Strait on the south. The district headquarters is at Tiruvarur town.
According to the 2011 census Tiruvarur district has a population of 1,268,094 , roughly equal to the nation of Estonia or the US state of New Hampshire. This gives it a ranking of 382nd in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 533 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,380 /sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 8.43 %. Thiruvarur has a sex ratio of 1020 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 83.26 %.
It was 20.29% urbanised in 2001.
The Tiruvarur district, along with the Nagapattinam district was part of the Thanjavur District before 1991. After that, the present Taluks of Tiruvarur district and Nagapattinam district were separated from the Thanjavur District, and formed the Nagapattinam district. The present Tiruvarur district was formed in 1997 by trifurcating the then Thanjavur District. Major towns are Thiruvarur, Thiruthuraipoondi, Nachikulam, Muthupettai, Mannargudi.
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Tripura
Tripura /ˈtrɪpərə/ is a state in North East India, and one of the Seven Sister States. The third smallest state of India, it occupies an area of 4,051 sq mi (10,490 km2). Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to its east. The state capital is Agartala. A landlocked state, Tripura's geography is characterized by several north-south laid parallel hill ranges with intervening valleys, and plain in the western part of the state.
The area of the modern Tripura was part of an independent Tripuri kingdom that ruled for several centuries, probably millennia. It was known as "Hill Tippera" during the British rule in India. The kingdom merged with independent India on 15 October 1949 by the Tripura Merger Agreement. Ethnic strife between original tribes and largely migrant Bengali population led to tension and scattered violence since 1970s. Establishment of an autonomous tribal zone soothed such tensions to a great extent, and the state remains peaceful, as of 2012.
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Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh /ˌʌtər prəˈdɛʃ/, abbreviation U.P. ("Northern Province"; formerly: United Provinces), is a state located in the north western part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity. Were it a nation in its own right, Uttar Pradesh would be the world's fifth most populous country, ahead of Brazil (a country thirty-five times larger in territorial area than Uttar Pradesh). On 9 November 2000, the Himalayan portion of the state, comprising the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions and Haridwar district, was formed into a new state 'Uttaranchal', now called Uttarakhand, meaning the 'Northern Segment' state.
Uttar Pradesh is the second largest state-economy in India, with a GDP of $103.5 billion in 2009. The annual per capita GDP of the state was $1586 in 2009, on purchasing power parity basis. It contributed 8.34% to India's total GDP in the financial year 2010. Agriculture is a significant part of UP's economy. The state was India's sixth largest producer of fruits, and became the largest producer of vegetables in 2010. With an area of 93,933 sq mi (243,290 km2), Uttar Pradesh covers a large part of the highly fertile and densely populated upper Gangetic plain. It shares an international border with Nepal to the north. Other states along Uttar Pradesh's border include Uttarakhand, Haryana and Delhi to the north and northwest; Rajasthan on the west; Madhya Pradesh on the south; Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand on the south east; and Bihar on the east.
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Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand[needs IPA] (Sanskrit: उत्तराखण्डम्, Uttarākhanḍam ?, Hindi: उत्तराखण्ड, Uttarākhanḍ ?), formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods (Hindi: देव भूमि, Dēv bhūmi ?) due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship. Known for its natural beauty and wealth of the Himalayas, the Bhabhar and the Terai, the state was carved out of the Himalayan and adjoining north-western districts of Uttar Pradesh on 9 November 2000, becoming the 27th state of the Republic of India. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region on the north, the Mahakali Zone of Far-Western Region, Nepal on the east and the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh to the south and Himachal Pradesh to the north west.
The region is traditionally referred to as Uttarakhand in Hindu scriptures and old literature, a term which derives from Sanskrit uttara (उत्तर) meaning north, and khaṇḍ (खण्ड्) meaning country or part of a country. It has an area of 20,682 sq mi (53,566 km²).
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Vaduvur
Vaduvur/Vaduvoor is a Indian village situated between Thanjavur and Mannargudi in Tamil NaduState. vaduvur is divided into three(3) Punjayat for administrative convenience . But all along the area known as '"Thannarasu Naadu"'(tannaracu country).
'"1.Vaduvur Vadapathi"' '"2.Vaduvur Akraharam"' '"3.Vaduvur Thenpathi"'
'"Vaduvur Higher Secondary School.Vaduvur "' '"Vaduvur primary School.vaduvur"' '"Vaduvur Vadapathi primary School.vaduvur"' '"Vaduvur Melpathi primary School"'
'"Indian Bank"' '"Co-oP Bank Vaduvur"'
'"Kabbaddi"' '"Volley Ball"' The vaduvur people more interested in sports activities, The vaduvur is very famous in Kabbadi and vallyball games overall tanjore and thiruvarur district.
'"Vaduvur Stadium "'
'"Agriculture"'
Vaduvur (Vaduvoor) was once offered to the vidhwans[clarification needed] by the kings of Thanjavur on an Ekadasi day; hence it is also called as 'Ekadasi' village.
Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary is located near Mannargudi in Tiruvarur District.
Nearly 20,000 birds visited the lake this season i.e., from October to February. Nearly 38 species of birds have been spotted. The birds that visit the lake every year are the Open bill stork, Cattle egret, Little egret, Pelicans, Grey Pelicans, Darter, Little Cormorants, Common coots, Little tern, Pond heron, Night heron, Painted stork, Common keat, Kingfisher and so forth. The birds are best viewed between 5.30 a.m. to 6.30 a.m., and between 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
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Vellore
Vellore pronounced [veːluːr] ( listen)) is a tier-II city and municipal corporation in the Vellore district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It became a municipal corporation in August 2008. As of 2012[update], Vellore is the sixth largest city in Tamil Nadu in terms of population, after Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichi and Salem.
Vellore is one of the oldest cities in South India, and lies on the banks of the Palar River on the site of Vellore Fort. The city is located between Chennai (145 km), Bangalore (215 km) and the temple towns of Thiruvannamalai and Tirupati. Vellore has many colleges, ancient temples, a renowned hospital (the Christian Medical College & Hospital) and a well-known technical institute (the Vellore Institute of Technology). Vellore is a transit hub for travellers and tourism.
Vellore has a blend of heritage and culture reflecting the ancient Dravidian civilization. It was the seat of the Pallavas, Cholas, Nayak, Marathas, Arcot Nawabs and Bijapur Sultan kingdoms. Vellore was the capital city of the Vijayanagar empire from 1606–1672. The Vellore Fort was described as the best and strongest fortress during the 18th-century Carnatic Wars, and the monuments found in the district give a vivid picture of the evolution of the city through the ages.
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Vellore district
Vellore district (Tamil: வேலூர் மாவட்டம்) is one of the 32 districts in the Tamil Nadu state of India. Vellore City is the headquarters of this district. It had a population of 3,477,317 as of 2001. It is 37.62% urbanised. [1] The district has a literacy of 73.06%, slightly below the state average.
As of 2011 it is the third most populous district of Tamil Nadu (out of 32), after Chennai and Kanchipuram.
Vellore had been under the control of Cholas of Uraiyur, Pallavas, Rashtrakutas of Malkhed, Sambuvarayar,who lived in the territory of Melakadambur which denoted in Ponniyin selvan the rulers of Vijayanagaram, Marathas, the Nawabs of the Carnatic and the British. The Vellore fort, which was probably built during the rule of Chinna Bommi Nayak (1526 to 1595 A.D.), was considered to be a strong fort during the Carnatic war in the 17th Century. The district finds an important place in the Indian freedom struggle. The Sepoy Mutiny of 1806 that took place inside the Vellore fort was seen as a prelude to the Revolt of 1857.
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Vietnam
Vietnam (
listen), formally the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Cộng hòa xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam; listen), is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. With an estimated 91.5 million inhabitants as of 2012, it is the world's 13th-most-populous country, and the eighth-most-populous Asian country. The name Vietnam translates as "South Viet", and was officially adopted in 1945. The country is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea to the east.
The Vietnamese became independent from Imperial China in 938 AD, following the Battle of Bạch Đằng River. Successive Vietnamese royal dynasties flourished as the nation expanded geographically and politically into Southeast Asia, until the Indochina Peninsula was colonized by the French in the mid-19th century. The First Indochina War eventually led to the expulsion of the French in 1954, leaving Vietnam divided politically into two states, North and South Vietnam. Conflict between the two sides intensified, with heavy foreign intervention, during the Vietnam War, which ended with a North Vietnamese victory in 1975.
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Vijayanagara
Vijayanagara (Kannada: ವಿಜಯನಗರ) is in Bellary District, northern Karnataka. It is the name of the now-ruined capital city that surrounds modern-day Hampi, of the historic Vijayanagara empire which extended over the southern part of India.
In around 1500 Vijaynagar had 500,000 inhabitants, making it the second-largest city in the world after Peking-Beijing and more than twice the size of the biggest European city, Paris. The ruins are now a World Heritage Site.
Most of the city lies on the south bank of the Tungabhadra River. The city was built around the original religious centre of the Virupaksha temple at Hampi. Other holy places lie within its environs, including the site of what is said to be Kishkindha where a Hanuman temple, the cave home of Anjana, Kesari and Shabari, a holy pond named the Pampasarovar are located. It also contains the cave home of Sugriva, the monkey king of the Ramayana.
The city at its greatest extent was considerably larger than the area described here; an account is given at the article on the Vijayanagara metropolitan area. The central areas of the city, which include what are now called the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre, extend over an area of at least 40 km². It includes the modern village of Hampi. Another village, Kamalapura, lies just outside the old walled city, but is also surrounded by ruins and monuments. The nearest town and railway is in Hosapete, about 13 km (8.1 mi) away by road. Hosapete also lies within the original extents of the old city, though most of the items of interest are within walking distance of Hampi and Kamalapura.
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Viluppuram district
Villupuram (also Villupuram and Vizhupuram) (Tamil: விழுப்புரம் மாவட்டம்) is one of the thirty districts which make up Tamil Nadu state situated on the southern tip of India. The district headquarters is located at Villupuram. Villupuram district came into existence on 30 September 1993 when it was created out of South Arcot district. Villupuram is the largest district in the state.
From the 1st to the 4th centuries, the Chola were the rulers of the area, Karikala Chola was the most famous and powerful individual of the time. The grip of Chola rule was broken when the Cholas were overthrown by Simha Vishnu Pallava and the region came under the Pallava rule. Vijayalaya Chola again revived Chola rule. This was the beginning of great Chola Empire.
Cholas regained their lost position but with the rise of Jatavarman Sundara Pandya-1 (1251), Chola supremacy came to an end. The sway of Pandyas lasted for over 50 years, followed by Muslim domination from 1334 to 1378. By 1378, the region came under the rule of Vijayanagara Empire and Nayaks were appointed as the rulers of the region.
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West Bengal
West Bengal /bɛŋˈɡɔːl/ (proposed new English name: Paschim Banga) is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. Covering a total area of 34,267 sq mi (88,750 km2), it is bordered by the countries of Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, and the Indian states of Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim, and Assam. The state capital is Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). West Bengal encompasses two broad natural regions: the Gangetic Plain in the south and the sub-Himalayan and Himalayan area in the north.
In the 3rd century BC, the broader region of Bengal was conquered by the emperor Ashoka. In the 4th century AD, it was absorbed into the Gupta Empire. From the 13th century onward, the region was ruled by several sultans, powerful Hindu states and Baro-Bhuyan landlords, until the beginning of British rule in the 18th century. The British East India Company cemented their hold on the region following the Battle of Plassey in 1757, and the city of Calcutta (now known as Kolkata) served for many years as the capital of British India. The early and prolonged exposure to British administration resulted in expansion of Western education, culminating in development in science, institutional education, and social reforms of the region, including what became known as the Bengal Renaissance. A hotbed of the Indian independence movement through the early 20th century, Bengal was divided in 1947 along religious lines into two separate entities: West Bengal – a state of India – and East Bengal, which initially joined the new nation of Pakistan, before becoming part of modern-day Bangladesh in 1971.
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Yercaud
Yercaud is a hill station in Salem District, in Tamil Nadu, India. It located in the Shevaroys range of hills in the Eastern Ghats; the Yercaud hill area is called the Shevaroy Hills. It is situated at an altitude of 1515 metres (4970 ft) above sea level, and the highest point in Yercaud is the Servarayan temple, at 5,326 feet (1,623 m). It is so named owing to the abundance of trees categorised as a forest near the lake, the name signifying Lake Forest. As a popular tourist destination, Yercaud is also called as Jewel of the South. Yarcaud is connected to city of Salem, Tamil Nadu through Highway of 8 km. The temperature never rises above 29 °C (84 °F) or goes below 13 °C (55 °F). Coffee and citrus fruits, most notably oranges, are grown in abundance apart from bananas, pears and jackfruit. Scenically, Yercaud is as enchanting and picturesque as the hill stations on the Western ghats and trekking here can be one of the most pleasurable ways to pass time.
The total extent of Yercaud Taluk is 382.67 km2, including Reserve Forest. The entire County is administered as a Township. Yercaud also has a Village council.
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Aditya I
Aditya I (Tamil: முதலாம் ஆதித்த சோழன்) (c. 871 – c. 907 CE), the son of Vijayalaya, was the first great Chola king of South India who extended the Chola dominions by the conquest of the Pallavas.
During the invasion of the Chola country, the Pandya king Varagunavarman II became an ally of Nripatunga, the eldest son of the Pallava king Nandivarman III.
When Nandivarman died in 869 CE differences arose between Nripatunga and his stepbrother Aparajita, probably owing to the latter’s ambition to rule the kingdom on his own right. Both sides looked for allies. Nripatunga continued to have Varaguna Pandya by his side while Aparajita allied with the Ganga king Prithvipathi I and with Aditya Chola I.
The rival armies met at Thirupurambiyam near Kumbakonam c. 885 CE. The armies of Pandyas and Nripatunga Pallava were routed by Aparajita Pallava and Aditya I Chola.
Although the victor of the Thirupurambiyam battle was Aparajita, the real gains went to Aditya I Chola. This battle ensured the end of Pandya power in the south. Pandya Varagunavarman renounced his throne and turned an ascetic. The grateful Aparajita not only allowed Aditya I Chola to keep the territories won by Vijayalaya Chola, but also to add new territories from the defeated Pandyas.
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Alauddin Khilji
Ali Gurshap Bam better known by his titular name as Sultan Ala-ud-din Khilji (Urdu: علاء الدین الخلجی; died 1316) was the second ruler of the Turkic AfghanKhilji dynasty in India. He is considered the most powerful ruler of the dynasty, reigning from 1296 to 1316.
His historic attack on Chittor in 1303 CE, and the folklore of him hearing of the beauty of queen of Chittor, Rani Padmini, the wife of King Rawal Ratan Singh and the subsequent story has been immortalized in the epic poem Padmavat, written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi in the Awadhi language in the year 1540.
He was a brilliant strategist and an outstanding military commander who commanded forces in the length and breadth of Indian subcontinent. Sultan Ala-ud-din Khilji is also noted in history for being one of the few rulers in the world to have repeatedly defeated the invasions of the Mongols.
When Kublai Khan died in 1294, the former Mongol Empire was divided into independent Khanates. One such Khanate was the Chagatai Khanate which covered Central Asia and its leader at that time was Duwa Khan. Duwa was active in Afghanistan, and attempted to extend Mongol rule to India, but there he was defeated by a formidable foe, General Zafar Khan of the Delhi Sultanate in 1296–1297. The two armies met at Jalandhar in 1297. Zafar Khan defeated the Mongols in this first invasion.
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Anju Bobby George
Anju Bobby George (Malayalam: അഞ്ജു ബോബി ജോര്ജ്ജ്) (born 19 April 1977) is an Indian athlete. Anju Bobby George made history when she won the bronze medal in Long Jump at the 2003 World Championships in Athletics in Paris. With this achievement, she became the first Indian athlete ever to win a medal in a World Championships in Athletics jumping 6.70 m. She went on to win the silver medal at the IAAF World Athletics Final in 2005, a performance she considers her best.
Anju was born in Kochuparambil family in Changanassery, Kerala to K.T.Markose. She was initiated into athletics by her father and her interest was further developed by her trainer in Koruthode school. She did her schooling in CKM Koruthode School and graduated from Vimala College. In the school athletic meet in 1991–92, she won the 100 m hurdles and relay and stood second in long jump and high jump events, thus becoming the women's champion. Anju's talent was noticed in the national schools games where she won third place in 100 m hurdles and 4x100 m relay. She was in Calicut University.
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Arunachala Kavi
Arunachala Kavi (Tamil: அருணாசல கவி) (1711 - 1779) was a Tamil poet and a composer of Carnatic music. He was born in Tillaiyadi in Thanjavur District in Tamil Nadu. The three Tamil composers Arunachala Kavi, Muthu Thandavar and Marimutthu Pillai are considered the Tamil Trinity, who contributed to the evolution of Carnatic music.
Arunachala Kavi was fluent in Tamil, Telugu and Sanskrit. He wrote Rama Natakam, a musical drama based on the Ramayana. The music for this musical was composed by two of Arunachala Kavi's disciples, Kothandarama Iyer and Venkatarama Iyer. The songs contain many Tamil proverbs and sayings.
This musical drama was first performed at the Srirangam temple and within a short time it became very popular. Kavirayar was honoured by Maharaja Tulaja, the King of Tanjavur, and by several other patrons of that time. He also composed Seergazhi Sthala Puranam (sirkali), Seergazhi Kovai, Hanumar Pillai Tamil, Ajomukhi Natakam and a few Keertanas.
Some of his famous compositions still popular today are Yaro ivar yaro (Bhairavi), Kanden Kanden Sitayai (Vasanta), Ramanai Kannara Kandane (Mohanam).
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Bharathidasan
Bharathidasan (Tamil: பாரதிதாசன்) (April 29, 1891 – April 21, 1964; also spelt Bharatidasan) was a 20th-century Tamil poet and rationalist whose literary works handled mostly socio-political issues. His writings served as a catalyst for the growth of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu. In addition to poetry, his views found expression in other forms such as plays, film scripts, short stories and essays. He was mentored by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi (after whom he called himself "Bharathidasan").
Bharathidasan was born to Kanagasabai Mudaliar and Lakshmi Ammal in a well-to-do merchant family of Pondicherry. His original name was Subburathina He underwent formal education in Tamil literature, Tamil grammar and Saiva siddharth Vedanta under reputed scholars. He also studied at the Collège Calvé in Pondicherry. In 1909, he was introduced to Subramanya Bharathi, and his interactions with the Mahakavi had a major impact on him. He initially worked as a Tamil teacher in the French territory of Karaikal.
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Bodhidharma
Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th/6th century CE. He is traditionally credited as the transmitter of Ch'an (Sanskrit: Dhyāna, Japanese: Zen) to China, and regarded as the first Chinese patriarch. According to Chinese legend, he also began the physical training of the Shaolin monks that led to the creation of Shaolinquan.
Little contemporary biographical information on Bodhidharma is extant, and subsequent accounts became layered with legend. There are three principal sources for Bodhidharma's biography: Yáng Xuànzhī's (Yang Hsüan-chih) The Record of the Buddhist Monasteries of Luoyang (547), Tánlín's preface to the Two Entrances and Four Acts (6th century CE), and Dàoxuān's (Tao-hsuan) Further Biographies of Eminent Monks (7th century CE).
These sources vary on their account of Bodhidharma being either "from Persia" (547 CE), "a Brahman monk from South India" (645 CE), "the third son of a Brahman king of South India" (ca. 715 CE).Some traditions specifically describe Bodhidharma to be the third son of a Tamil Pallava king from Kanchipuram.
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Dravidian peoples
Dravidian people or peoples or is a term used to refer to the diverse groups of people who natively speak languages belonging to the Dravidian language family. Populations of speakers of around 220 million are found mostly in Southern India. Other Dravidian people are found in parts of central India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. The most populous Dravidian people are the Telugus, Tamils, Kannadigas and the Malayalis. Smaller Dravidian communities with 1–5 million speakers are the Tuluvas, Gonds and Brahui.
There are two definitions for Dravidian ethnicity which are generally divided between proposing that Dravidian people are an ethnic group in their own right, or Dravidian peoples are a collective group of ethnolinguistic ethnicities. The World Book encyclopedia, Volume 10 says: "Most southern Indians belong to the Dravidian ethnic group;" referring to them as one ethnic group, while the The New Encyclopaedia Britannica: Volume 8; Volume 21 refers to 'Dravidian ethnic groups', suggesting the latter definition. Hence, depending on the definition and context, both 'Dravidian people' and 'Dravidian peoples' may be used.
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Hyder Ali
Hyder Ali (Urdu: سلطان حيدر علی خان , Kannada: ಹೈದರಾಲಿ, Haidarālī; Hindi: हैदर अली, Haidar Alī; c. 1720 – 7 December 1782, 2 Muharram 1197 in the Islamic calendar) was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. Born Hyder Naik, he distinguished himself militarily, eventually drawing the attention of Mysore's rulers. Rising to the post of dalwai, or commander-in-chief to Krishnaraja Wodeyar II, he came to dominate the titular monarch and the Mysore government, and eventually seized control of all of the reins of power. He expanded the kingdom's borders at the expense of the Maratha Empire and Nizam of Hyderabad (among others), and was one of the few local rulers to effectively blunt the military advances of the British East India Company during two wars. In the First and Second Anglo-Mysore Wars he came within striking distance of the British outpost at Madras. He was given a number of honorific titles, and was referred to as Sultan Hyder Ali Khan or Hyder Ali Sahib.
Hyder's rule of Mysore was characterised by frequent warfare with his neighbours and rebellion within his territories. This was not unusual for the time, as much of the Indian subcontinent was then in turmoil, with the Hindu Maratha Confederacy struggling with the remnants of the Muslim Mughal Empire. He was a shrewd leader, and left his son Tipu Sultan a kingdom that was significantly larger than when he first took it over. He organised his military in part along European lines, and was a pioneer in the military use of Rocket artillery. He had at least two wives, and fathered at least three children.
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Ilaiyaraaja
Ilaiyaraaja (born Gnanadesikan on 2 June 1943) is an Indian film composer, singer, and lyricist, mainly in the Tamil film Industry. He is regarded as one of the finest music composers in India. Ilaiyaraaja is also an instrumentalist, conductor, singer, and a songwriter. To date, he has composed over 4500 songs and provided film scores for more than 950 Indian films in various languages in a career spanning more than 30 years, particularly being acclaimed for his background scoring for Indian films.[citation needed] His songs and background score played a very crucial role in the success of many films. He remains as one of the most popular composers in the South Indian film industry.
Ilaiyaraaja has been a prominent composer of film music in South Indian cinema since the late 1970s. His works are mainly in Tamil, but has also scored music for numerous films in Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and 1 film in Marathi.. He integrated folk lyricism (in Tamil) and introduced broader Western musical sensibilities into the South Indian musical mainstream. A gold medalist in classical guitar from Trinity College of Music, London, in 1993, he became the first Asian to compose a full symphony performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London's Walthamstow Town Hall. In 2003, according to a BBC international poll, people from 155 countries voted his composition "Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu" from the 1991 film Thalapathi fourth in the world's top 10 most popular songs of all time. He was also nominated in the Best Indian album Music Awards category at US based Just Plain Folks Music Organization, which is the largest grassroots music organization in the world, and stood third for his "Music Journey: Live in Italy".
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Jayalalithaa
Jayalalithaa Jayaram (born 24 February 1948, and commonly referred to as J. Jayalalitha), is the Chief Minister of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. She was a popular film star in Indian cinema before her entry into politics, having appeared in many Tamil and Telugu films, as well as several produced in Hindi and Kannada. She is the incumbent general secretary of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). She is called Amma ('Mother') and Puratchi Thalaivi ('Revolutionary Leader') by her followers.
Although there have been claims that Jayalalithaa was introduced to politics by M. G. Ramachandran, she has denied this. She was a member of the Rajya Sabha elected from Tamil Nadu during the period of 1984–89. Soon after the death of Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa proclaimed herself as his political heir. She is the first elected female Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Jayalalithaa was born into a Tamil Iyengar family on 24 February 1948 at Melukote, in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district, Madras State (presently at Karnataka). In accordance with Iyengar custom[citation needed] she was given two names, thus her other name is Komalavalli. Her grandfather was in the service of the then Mysore kingdom as a surgeon, and the prefix Jaya (the victorious) was added to the names of various of her family members to reflect their association with Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar of Mysore.
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Karun Chandhok
Karun Chandhok (Hindi: करुण चंडोक; born January 19, 1984 in Madras) is an Indian racing driver, who competed for Hispania Racing in Formula One in 2010. Before this, he drove in the GP2 Series for three years, winning two races.
Prior to his time in GP2, Chandhok won the Formula Asia championship in 2001 and was the inaugural Formula Asia V6 by Renault champion in 2006.
In 2000, Chandhok was Indian National Racing Champion winning seven out of ten races in the Formula Maruti series. He scored Pole position and fastest lap in all ten races. In 2001 Chandhok was the Formula 2000 Asia champion, becoming the youngest ever Asian Formula Champion, driving for Team India Racing.
Chandhok tested with British Formula 3 champion team Carlin Motorsport in 2001. He raced in the National class in 2002, driving for T-Sport, finishing sixth in class. He stayed with T-Sport in the National Class for 2003, and finished third in the final class standings, behind champion Ernesto Viso and runner-up Steven Kane. In 2004 Chandhok stepped up to the main British Formula 3 class with T-Sport, and finished 14th in the standings.
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Konijeti Rosaiah
Konijeti Rosaiah (born 4 July 1933) is the current Governor of Tamil Nadu and a former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He was previously an MLC, MLA & MP of the Indian National Congress numerous times and has handled many ministerial posts over his long political career spanning over half a century. He is one of the most experienced political leaders in the state and his role as the Finance Minister is most recognized.
Rosaiah was born in a middle class agricultural family in Vemuru, near Tenali in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh. He graduated from Guntur Hindu College, Andhra University in Commerce. While he was studying in Guntur, he was elected as the student leader and thus entered into politics. He is the grand son of Padmarao Mudaliar.(Diwan of Hyderabad).
Rosaiah is a political disciple of Swatantra Party leader and independence activist N.G. Ranga. He was elected as MLC in 1968, 1974, 1980 and 2009 and as an MLA in 1989 and 2004 from Chirala assembly constituency. In 1998, he was elected as MP from Narasaraopet. During his long political career is had interacted and worked closely with most of the Prime Ministers of India including Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.
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Krishna
Krishna (Sanskrit: कृष्ण) (kṛṣṇa in IAST, pronounced [ˈkr̩ʂɳə] literally "dark, black") is a central figure of Hinduism. He is known as the eighth and "complete" avatar of Lord Vishnu, come to restore Dharma to the earth in a time of great dharmic imbalance. Krishna is identified as a historical individual who participated in the events of the Mahabharata.
Krishna is often described as an infant or young boy playing a flute as in the Bhagavata Purana, or as a youthful prince giving direction and guidance as in the Bhagavad Gita. The stories of Krishna appear across a broad spectrum of Hindu philosophical and theological traditions. They portray him in various perspectives: a god-child, a prankster, a model lover, a divine hero and the Supreme Being. The principal scriptures discussing Krishna's story are the Mahabharata, the Harivamsa, the Bhagavata Purana and the Vishnu Purana.
Worship of a deity of Krishna, in the form of Vasudeva, Bala Krishna or Gopala, can be traced to as early as 4th century BC. Worship of Krishna as svayam bhagavan, or the Supreme Being, known as Krishnaism, arose in the Middle Ages in the context of the bhakti movement. From the 10th century AD, Krishna became a favorite subject in performing arts and regional traditions of devotion developed for forms of Krishna such as Jagannatha in Orissa, Vithoba in Maharashtra and Shrinathji in Rajasthan. Since the 1960s the worship of Krishna has also spread in the West, largely due to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
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Mahipala
Mahipala I (c. 995 – 1043 CE) is considered the second founder of the Pala dynasty. Gopala I established the dynastic rule of the Palas in the middle of the 8th century CE. The Pala Dynasty ruled Bengal and Bihar for about four centuries from the middle of the 8th century CE. Mahipala succeeded in recovering the lost fortune of the dynasty and in checking the forces of disintegration for the time being, but could not totally remove them. But his success gave the dynastic rule of the Palas a second lease on life. During the reigns of Gopala II and Vigrahapala II, the two immediate predecessors of Mahipala, Bengal had to face repeated invasions of the Chandellas and the Kalachuris, the new powers that arose out of the ruins of the Pratihara empire in northern India.
Mahipala seems to have a long reign as his two Imadpur inscriptions are dated in his 48th year. Mahipala, on his accession, found the Pala empire confined to southern Bihar and in his early years he fought successfully to recover northern and western Bengal from the Kambojas. Towards the close of his reign he succeeded in spreading Pala authority in northern Bihar. He must be given the credit for re-establishing Pala authority over their original kingdom, except a portion of southern west Bengal, where Ranasura and Dharmapala ruled.
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Marco Polo
Marco Polo (i/ˈmɑrkoʊ ˈpoʊloʊ/; Italian pronunciation: [ˈmarko ˈpɔːlo]; c. 1254 – January 9, 1324) was a Venetian merchant traveler from the Venetian Republic whose travels are recorded in Il Milione, a book which did much to introduce Europeans to Central Asia and China. He learned about trading whilst his father and uncle, Niccolò and Maffeo, travelled through Asia and apparently met Kublai Khan. In 1269, they returned to Venice to meet Marco for the first time. The three of them embarked on an epic journey to Asia, returning after 24 years to find Venice at war with Genoa; Marco was imprisoned, and dictated his stories to a cellmate. He was released in 1299, became a wealthy merchant, married and had three children. He died in 1324, and was buried in San Lorenzo.
Their pioneering journey inspired Christopher Columbus and others. Marco Polo's other legacies include Venice Marco Polo Airport, the Marco Polo sheep, and several books and films. He also had an influence on European cartography, leading to the introduction of the Fra Mauro map.
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Muthu Thandavar
Muthu Thandavar (1525 - 1600 CE) was composer of Carnatic music. He was an early architect of the present day Carnatic kriti (song) format, which consists of the pallavi (refrain), anupallavi and charanam. He lived in the town of Sirkazhi in Tamil Nadu. His contributions to Carnatic music have been largely forgotten and not many of his kritis are in vogue today. Muthu Thandavar, along with Arunachala Kavi (1712–1779) and Marimutthu Pillai (1717–1787) are known as the Tamil Trinity of Carnatic music.
Muthu Thandavar also composed several padams, short songs mainly sung accompanying Bharatanatyam performances. Some of these padams are still popular such as Teruvil Varano in raga Kamas and Ittanai tulambaramo in raga Danyasi.
Muththu Thandavar was born in Sirkazhi,in a family of instrumental musicians who served the temples. They were known as Isai Vellalar (those who cultivate music). He was named Thandavan after the deity at Chidambaram.
As a youngster, Thandavan suffered an incurable wasting disease which caused havoc on his health and appearance. He was not able to follow the family profession on account of this debilitating condition. He was also shunned by everybody.
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Muthuswami Dikshitar
Muthuswami Dikshitar (Tamil:முத்துஸ்வாமி தீக்ஷிதர, Devanagari:मुत्तुस्वामि दीक्षित:, Telugu:ముత్తు స్వామీ దీక్షితులు, Kannada:ಮುತ್ತು ಸ್ವಾಮೀ ದೀಕ್ಷಿತರು, March 24, 1775 – October 21, 1835) is a South Indian poet and composer and is one of the Musical Trinity of Carnatic music. His compositions, of which around 500 are commonly known, are noted for their contemplative nature and for capturing the essence of the raga forms through the vainika (veena) style that emphasises gamakas. They are typically in a slower speed (chowka kala). He is also known by his signature name of Guruguha. His compositions are widely sung and played in classical concerts of Carnatic music.
The musical trinity consists of Dikshitar, Thyagaraja (1767–1847), and Syama Sastri (1762–1827) although, unlike the Telugu compositions of the others, his compositions are predominantly in Sanskrit.
Muthuswami Dikshitar was born in Tiruvarur (of Thiruvarur district in what is now the state of Tamil Nadu) to a Tamil Iyer Brahmin couple Ramaswami Dikshitar and Subbamma, as the eldest son. According to the account of Subbarama Dikshitar, Muttuswami Dikshitar was born in the manmatha year, in the month of Panguni under the asterism Krittikaa. He was named after the temple deity, Muttukumaraswamy; legend has it that he was born after his parents prayed for a child in the Vaitheeswaran Temple. He had two younger brothers Baluswami, Chinnaswami and a sister Balambal.
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Narain Karthikeyan
Kumar Ram Narain Karthikeyan (Tamil: குமார் ராம் நாராயண் கார்த்திகேயன்; born 14 January 1977, in Madras) is the first Formula One motor racing driver from India. He has previously competed in A1GP, and the Le Mans Series. He made his Formula One debut in 2005 with the Jordan team, and was a Williams F1 test driver in 2006 and 2007. Like several other former F1 drivers, Karthikeyan moved to stock car racing and drove the #60 Safe Auto Insurance Company Toyota Tundra for Wyler Racing in the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. In 2011 he returned to F1 with the HRT team, and has again signed with them for the 2012 season.
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Narasimhavarman II
Narasimhavarman II (Tamil: இரண்டாம் நரசிம்மவர்மன்) or Rajasimha (Tamil: ராஜசிம்மன்) was a Pallava king who ruled in South India during the 6th century. Succeeding his father Paramesvaravarman I in the year 700 CE, he ruled for nearly 3 decades, until he was succeeded by his son Paramesvaravarman II in 728 CE.
By the time Rajasimha ascended the throne, the Pallavas were by the large most powerful military force in the subcontinent. His father Parameswaravarman I was among the greatest of warrior kings of ancient India, the Amaravati Pallava inscription praises him of being:'" As vigorous and strong as lord sambhu (siva).". Parameswaravarman I had subdued all his formidable enemies to extend the Pallava empire far and away. Rajasimha followed up very well.The Vayalur inscription of Pallavas issued on the eve of the coronation of Rajasimha (695.C.E-728.C.E), gives a lineage of 54 rulers through the epochs of Kritam, Dwaparam and Kali up to emperor Rajasimha, this includes 47 kings after Aswattaman, the great warrior ancestor of the Pallavas.
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Parantaka Chola II
Parantaka Chola II (957–973 CE) ruled for approximately twelve years. Parantaka II was also known by the name Madhurantakan Sundara Chola. He was the son of Arinjaya Chola. His mother’s name was Kalyani, a princes from the clan of Vaidumbas. Parantaka II ascended the Chola throne despite the fact that Uttama Chola, the son of Gandaraditya, (the elder brother of Arinjaya) was alive and he had equal if not more claim to the Chola throne.
When Parantaka II became king, the Chola kingdom had shrunk to the size of a small principality. The Pandyas in the south had revived their fortune and had defeated the Chola armies and occupied their ancestral lands.
During Parantaka II's reign, foundations were laid to the Chola Empire that in its height stretched from the island of Sri Lanka in the south to the Pala Empire of Bengal in the north, to the Sri Vijaya empire in the east.
Immediately after becoming the Chola king, Parantaka II’s attention was directed towards the growing strength of the Pandyas in the south. Vira Pandya, having repulsed Gandaraditya’s attempts to restore Chola supremacy in the Pandya country, was ruling as an independent potentate. The invading Chola army met the Pandyas at Chevur.
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Parantaka I
Parantaka Chola I (Tamil: முதலாம் பராந்தக சோழன்) (907–955) ruled the Chola kingdom in southern India for forty-eight years. The best part of his reign was marked by increasing success and prosperity.
Parantaka continuing the expansion started by his father, invaded the Pandya kingdom in 910. He captured the Pandyan capital Madurai and assumed the title Madurain-konda (Capturer of Madurai). The Pandyan ruler Maravarman Rajasinha II sought the help of Kassapa V, the king of Sri Lanka, who sent an army to his aid. Parantaka defeated the combined army at the battle of Vellore. The Pandya king fled into exile in Sri Lanka and Parantaka completed his conquest of the entire Pandya country.
Parantaka spent many years in the newly conquered country reducing it to subjugation, and when he felt he had at last achieved his aim, he wanted to celebrate his victory by a coronation in Madurai in which he was to invest himself with the insignia of Pandyan monarchy. However he was foiled in this attempt by the Pandyan king carried them away and left in the safe custody of the Lankan king. Towards the end of his reign, Parantaka tried to capture them by invading Lanka. Mahavamsa records that the Lankan king Udaya IV took the Pandya crown and the jewels and hid himself in the Rohana hills. Parantaka’s armies had to return empty handed.
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Phoenicia
Phoenicia (UK /fɨˈnɪʃə/, US /fəˈniːʃə/; from the Greek: Φοινίκη: Phoiníkē), was an ancient Semitic Canaanite civilization situated on the western, coastal part of the Fertile Crescent. The major Phoenician cities were on the coastline of the Mediterranean. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1550 BC to 300 BC. The Phoenicians used the galley, a man-powered sailing vessel, and are credited with the invention of the bireme. They were famed in Classical Greece and Rome as 'traders in purple', referring to their monopoly on the precious purple dye of the Murex snail, used, among other things, for royal clothing, and for their spread of the alphabet (or abjad), upon which all major modern phonetic alphabets are derived.
In the Amarna tablets of the 14th century BC, people from the region called themselves Kenaani or Kinaani (Canaanites), although these letters predate the invasion of the Sea Peoples by over a century. Much later, in the 6th century BC, Hecataeus of Miletus writes that Phoenicia was formerly called χνα, a name Philo of Byblos later adopted into his mythology as his eponym for the Phoenicians: "Khna who was afterwards called Phoinix". Egyptian seafaring expeditions had already been made to Byblos to bring back "cedars of Lebanon" as early as the third millennium BC.
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Raja Raja Chola I
Raja Raja Chola I (Tamil: ராஜ ராஜ சோழன்) born Arunmozhi Thevar (also called as Raja Kesari Varman Raja Raja Devar and respectfully as Peruvudaiyar), popularly known as Raja Raja the Great, is one of the greatest emperors of the Tamil Chola Empire of India who ruled between 985 and 1014 CE. He established the Chola empire by conquering the kingdoms of southern India expanding the Chola Empire as far as Sri Lanka in the south, and Kalinga (Orissa) in the northeast. He fought many battles with the Chalukyas in the north and the Pandyas in the south. By conquering Vengi, Rajaraja laid the foundations for the Later Chola dynasty. He invaded Sri Lanka and started a century-long Chola occupation of the island. He streamlined the administrative system with the division of the country into various districts and by standardising revenue collection through systematic land surveys. Being an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, he built the magnificent Peruvudaiyar Temple (also known as the Brihadeeswarar Temple) in Thanjavur and through it enabled wealth distribution amongst his subjects. His successes enabled his son Rajendra Chola I to extend the empire even further.
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Ramanuja
Śrī Ramanuja (Tamil: இராமானுஜர், Rāmānujar ?, Telugu: రామానుజాచార్యుల వారు, Rāmānujācārya ?, Kannada: ರಾಮಾನುಜಾಚಾರ್ಯ, Rāmānujācārya ?, Devanagari: रामानुज); traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Śrī Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar (Yatiraja), Emberumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete. He is seen by Śrīvaiṣṇavas as the most important teacher (ācārya) of their tradition who followed Nathamuni and Yamunacharya, and by Hindus in general as the leading expounder of Viśiṣṭādvaita, one of the classical interpretations of the dominant Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy.
The traditional biographies of Ramanuja place his life in the period of 1017–1137, yielding a lifespan of 120 years. However, the unusual length and roundness of this lifetime has led scholars to propose that Ramanuja was born 20–60 years later, and died as many as 20 years earlier than the traditional dates[citation needed]. Any chronology depends crucially on the major historical event mentioned in the traditional biographies: the persecution of Srivaishnavas under the Chola king Kulothunga and Ramanuja's subsequent 12-year exile in Melkote, in Karnataka[citation needed].
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Subramanya Bharathi
Chinnaswami Subramanya Bharathi (Tamil: சின்னசுவாமி சுப்பிரமணிய பாரதி) (December 11, 1882 – September 11, 1921) was a Tamil writer, poet, journalist, Indian independence activist and social reformer from Tamil Nadu, India. Popularly known as Mahakavi Bharathiyar (Tamil: மகாகவி பாரதியார்), he is a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry.
Born in Ettayapuram in 1882, Subramanya Bharathi studied in Tinnevely and worked as a journalist with many newspapers, notable among them being the Swadesamitran and India. Bharathi was also an active member of the Indian National Congress. In 1908, an arrest warrant was issued against Bharathi by the government of British India for his revolutionary activities forcing him to flee to Pondicherry where he lived till 1918.
Bharathi is considered to be one of the greatest Tamil poets of the modern era. Most of his works were on religious, political and social themes. Songs penned by Bharathi have been widely used in Tamil films and Carnatic Music concert platforms.
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar was born to Chinnasami Subramanya Iyer and Elakumi Ammaal as "Subbayya" on December 11, 1882 in the Tamil village of Ettayapuram. He was educated at a local high school called "The M.D.T. Hindu College" in Tirunelveli. From a very young age he learnt music and at 11nd songs. It was here that he was conferred the title of "Bharathi" ("one blessed by Saraswati, the goddess of learning).
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Sundaram Karivardhan
Sundaram Karivardhan or short Kari (June 20, 1954 Coimbatore, India–August 24, 1995 in the same town) was a legendary figure of Indian motorsports. Apart from being a successful formula car racer, was also a designer and constructor of several formula cars, his most famous design being the Formula Maruti open wheeled race car. His low cost cars helped other racers, notably Narain Karthikeyan, Karun Chandhok, and Armaan Ebrahim, to their entry into motorsports. A wealthy industrialist, he was later killed in an air crash, aged 41.
Sundaram Karivardhan was born on 20 June 1954 in Coimbatore to noted Indian freedom fighter G.K.Sundaram from the Lakshmi Mills textile family. He did his schooling in Coimbatore and after graduating in mechanical engineering from PSG College of Technology, he completed his master of science at the UCLA, Los Angeles.
Quiet and shy in nature from a very young age, he showed a keen interest in bikes and cars. In the United Kingdom he attended the Jim Russell racing school. Later, when he returned to India in the mid-70's, he started participating in the Chennai's Sholavaram races and Calcutta's Barrackpore track. His first race was 1973 Sholavaram Grand Prix meet, later he appeared every year in newly constructed formula cars from his own garage. He raced until 1995, the year of his demise. Cars he raced ranged from Premier Padmini, Datsun 510, Sipani Dolphin, Formula Atlantic, several cars of his own design and in the final years Formula 3 cars. His last race was in a Formula Ford, in McDowell[disambiguation needed
]'s body shell in Chennai's MMSC track.
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Syama Sastri
Syama Sastri (శ్యామ శాస్త్రి ஸ்ரீ சியாமா சாஸ்திரி்) (also commonly transliterated as Shyama Shastri) (1762-1827) is one of the most renowned composers of Carnatic music. He is the oldest among the Trinity of Carnatic music, Tyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar being the other two. A major source for his biography is a chapter in P. Sambamoorthy's book, Great Composers, 69-94. (Madras: The Indian Music Publishing House).
Syama Sastri was born in Tiruvarur in Thiruvarur district, into a scholarly and priestly Tamil speaking Brahmin,Iyer Vadama family. His father Viswanatham was the hereditary priest responsible for the care and worship of the image of the goddess, Bangaru Kamakshi, whose temple is in Thanjavur. Syama Sastri's father was 25 at the time of his birth and his mother, Vengalakshmi, 20 years old. A family tradition holds that she had received a prophecy of his birth from a devout neighbour. The infant was named Venkatasubrahmanya, but came to be affectionately known as Syama Krishna.
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Tamil people
Tamil people (Tamil: தமிழர், tamiḻar ?), are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Réunion (France) and the UK. Since the early BCE, urbanization and mercantile activity along the western and eastern coast of what is today Kerala and Tamil Nadu led to the development of four large Tamil political states (Chera, Chola, Pandya and Pallavas) and a number of small petty states warring amongst themselves for dominance. Between the 3rd century BCE and the 3rd century CE Tamil people also produced native literature that came to be called Sangam literature. In centuries BCE religions such as Jainism, Buddhism and Vedic religion was spread amongst the populace.
Tamils were noted for their military, religious and mercantile activities beyond their native borders. Pandyas and Cholas were historically active in Sri Lanka. Pallava traders and religious leaders travelled to South East Asia and played an important role in the cultural Indianisation of the region. Locally developed scripts such as Grantha and Pallava script induced the development of many native scripts such as Khmer, Javanese and Thai.
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Tamil Trinity
The Tamil Trinity (also known as the Tamil Moovar) commonly refers to the three Tamil composers of early Carnatic music. They were Muthu Thandavar (?1560 - ?1640 CE), Arunachala Kavi (1712–1779) and Marimutthu Pillai (1717–1787), and lived five decades before the Tiruvarur Trinity or Trinity of Carnatic Music. They introduced several innovations that led to the evolution of the Carnatic Kriti (song).
Also sometimes referred to as the Tamil Trinity was the earliest Trinity associated with Indian Music. They were the peerless Tevaram Trinity - Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Gnanasambandar, who were well known for their language and devotion.
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Thiruvalluvar
Thiruvalluvar (Tamil: திருவள்ளுவர், Tiruvaḷḷuvar ?), was a celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher whose contribution to Tamil literature is the Thirukkural, a work on ethics. Thiruvalluvar is thought to have lived sometime between the 2nd century BC and the 8th century AD. This estimate is based on linguistic analysis of his writings, as there is no archaeological evidence for when he lived. He is sometimes also called Theiva Pulavar ("Divine Poet"), Valluvar, Poyyamozhi Pulavar, Senna Pothar, or Gnana Vettiyan.
Literary accounts indicate that he was a weaver by profession and lived at Mylapore, Chennai with his wife Vasuki.[citation needed]
Tirukkuṛal itself does not name its author or authors. The name Thiruvalluvar is first mentioned in the 10th century in a text called Thiruvalluvarmaalai ("Thiruvalluvar's garland"). Most of the traditions of Thiruvalluvar appeared after this text had been written. It is generally believed that the name Thiruvalluvar consists of Thiru (a Tamil word meaning honorable, similar to Mrequivalent rather to the Sankrit word Shree) and Valluvar (a polite name for Valluvan, according to Tamil tradition). The name Valluvan is a common name representing his caste or occupation rather than his proper name. However, it is not known whether the author of Tirukkuṛaḷ (Valluvan) was named after his community, Valluvar or vice versa.
wn.com/Thiruvalluvar -
Thomas the Apostle
Thomas the Apostle, also called Doubting Thomas or Didymus (meaning "Twin," as does "Thomas" in Aramaic") was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is best known for questioning Jesus' resurrection when first told of it, then proclaiming "My Lord and my God" on seeing Jesus in John 20:28. He was perhaps the only Apostle who went outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel. He is also believed to have crossed the largest area, which includes the Parthian Empire and India.
Thomas speaks in the Gospel of John. In John 11:16, when Lazarus has just died, the apostles don't want to go back to Judea, where Jesus' fellow Jews had attempted to stone him to death. Thomas says bravely: "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (NIV).
In Thomas' best known appearance in the New Testament, [Jn. 20:24–29] he doubts the resurrection of Jesus and demands to touch Jesus' wounds before being convinced. Caravaggio's painting, The Incredulity of Saint Thomas (illustration above), depicts this scene. This story is the origin of the term Doubting Thomas. After seeing Jesus alive, Thomas exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!".
wn.com/Thomas_the_Apostle -
Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan (November 1750, Devanahalli – 4 May 1799, Seringapatam), also known as the Tiger of Mysore, was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. He was the son of Hyder Ali, at that time an officer in the Mysorean army, and his second wife, Fatima or Fakhr-un-Nissa. He was given a number of honorific titles, and was referred to as Sultan Fateh Ali Khan Shahab, Tipu Saheb, Bahadur Khan Tipu Sultan or Fatih Ali Khan Tipu Sultan Bahadur.
During Tipu's childhood, his father rose to take power in Mysore, and Tipu took over rule of the kingdom upon his father's death. In addition to his role as ruler, he was a scholar, soldier, and poet. He was a devout Muslim but the majority of his subjects were Hindus. At the request of the French, he built a church, the first in Mysore. He was proficient in many languages. In alliance with the French in their struggle with the British, and in Mysore's struggles with other surrounding powers, both Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali used their French trained army against the Marathas, Sira, rulers of Malabar, Coorg, Bednur, Carnatic, and Travancore. He won important victories against the British in the Second Anglo-Mysore War, and negotiated the 1784 Treaty of Mangalore with them after his father died the previous year.
wn.com/Tipu_Sultan -
Tiruppur Kumaran
Tiruppur Kumaran (Tamil: திருப்பூர் குமரன்)(Birth name:OKSR Kumaraswamy Mudaliar) (1904–1932), was an Indian revolutionary who participated in the Indian independence movement. Kumaran was born in Chennimalai, a small town in the Erode District in Tamil Nadu region of south India. Kumaran died from injuries sustained from a Police assault during a protest march against the British colonial government on January 11, 1932. Kumaran died holding the flag of the Indian Nationalists, which had been banned by the British.
Kumaran was Tirupur's contribution to the Congress movement. He founded Desa Bandhu Youth Association. He gave his life defending the Congress flag. The government has erected his statue in a park by the railway station in Tirupur.
Kumaran is revered as a martyr in Tamil Nadu and is known by the epithet Kodi Kaththa Kumaran - Kumaran who saved the Flag.
A commemorative stamp was issued in October 2004, on his 100th birth anniversary. His statue in Tirupur is used as a focal point for public demonstrations.
wn.com/Tiruppur_Kumaran -
Tyagaraja
Kakarla Tyagabrahmam (Telugu: త్యాగరాజు) (May 4, 1767–January 6, 1847), colloquially known as Tyāgarājar and Tyagayya, was one of the greatest composers of Carnatic music or classical South Indian music. He, along with his contemporaries Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Shastry, forms the Trinity of Carnatic music. He was a prolific composer and highly influential in the development of the South Indian classical music tradition. Tyagaraja composed thousands of devotional compositions, most of them in praise of Lord Rama — most of which remain very popular even today. Of special mention are five of his compositions called the Pancharatna Krithis (English: 'five gems'), which are often sung in programs in his honor.
Tyagaraja was born in 1767 in Tiruvarur, Tiruvarur district, in what is now called Tamil Nadu, to Kakarla Ramabrahmam and Sitamma in a Telugu Brahmin family of the Mulukanadu subsect. He was named Tyagaraja, after Lord Tyagaraja, the presiding deity of the temple at Tiruvarur. Tyagaraja was born at his maternal grandfather Giriraja Kavi's house. Giriraja Kavi was a poet-composer in the court of the king of Thanjavur.
wn.com/Tyagaraja -
Vairamuthu
Vairamuthu Ramaswamy Thevar (Tamil: வைரமுத்து ; born 13 July 1953) is an award-winning Tamil poet and lyricist.
Debuting in the film Nizhalgal (1980) with the lyrics for the song "Ponmalai Pozhudhu", he has now about 5800 songs to his credit as of January 2009. His partnership with the composers Ilaiyaraaja, and later A. R. Rahman, have resulted in critical praise, awards, and box office hits.
He was awarded the National Film Award six times for Best Lyricist, the most by any Indian lyricist. He is a recipient of Kalaimamani, while also winning awards from the Government of Tamil Nadu for his contribution to Tamil literature.
Vairamuthu was born to Ramaswamythevar and Angammal of Mettur in a middle class family. When he was four, the village gave way to Vaigai Dam and the family moved to Vadugapatti village, community in Theni near Periyakulam.
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The ambience of the village is said to have inspired him to write poems.According to him, Tamil and Rationalist movements of the sixties stimulated his poetic zeal. The speeches of Periyar & Anna, the writings of Karunanidhi and the works of eminent poets like Bharathi, Bharathidasan and Kannadasan and the life in the countryside shaped the young poet's thinking. At the age of fourteen, he was inspired by Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural to write a venba compilation of poetry, strictly adhering to the yappu grammar rules of Tamil poetry.
wn.com/Vairamuthu -
Vasudevan Baskaran
Vasudevan Baskaran (Tamil: வாசுதேவன் பாஸ்கரன்) is a former field hockey player from India. He captained the Indian team, which won the gold medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Soviet Union. Thereafter coached and Mentored several players for the Indian team.He lives with his family in Chennai,India
After Olympic gold win as a player, Baskaran coached the Indian National Team several times, the last time at the 2006 Men's Hockey World Cup in Mönchengladbach. Currently he is the chief Coach of Bhopal Badshahs in World Series Hockey league.
He was awarded Arjuna Award in (1979–1980) for his brilliant performance as a player in Olympic Games.
wn.com/Vasudevan_Baskaran -
Viswanathan Anand
Viswanathan Anand (Tamil: விசுவநாதன் ஆனந்த், IPA: [ʋiʃʋəˈn̪aːt̪ən ˈaːnən̪d̪]; born 11 December 1969) is an Indian chess Grandmaster and the current World Chess Champion. Anand has won the World Chess Championship five times (2000, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012), and has been the undisputed World Champion since 2007. Anand became India's first grandmaster in 1988. He was also the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 1991–92, India's highest sporting honor. In 2007, he was awarded India's second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, making him the first sportsperson to receive the award in Indian history.
He held the FIDE World Chess Championship from 2000 to 2002, at a time when the world title was split. He became the undisputed World Champion in 2007 and defended his title against Vladimir Kramnik in 2008. He then successfully defended his title in the World Chess Championship 2010 against Veselin Topalov and in the World Chess Championship 2012 against Boris Gelfand. As the reigning champion, he will face the winner of the upcoming Candidates Tournament for the World Chess Championship 2013.
wn.com/Viswanathan_Anand
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'Vishwaroopam' to be released in Tamil Nadu on February 7
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 0:49
- Updated: 04 Feb 2013
A day after the two-week ban was revoked on the controversial film 'Vishwaroopam', Kamal Haasan on Monday announced that his film will hit theatres on February 7. "The film will release all over Tamil Nadu on Thursday, February 7," said Kamal in a statement. For more info log on to: www.youtube.com/abpnewsTV
http://wn.com/'Vishwaroopam'_to_be_released_in_Tamil_Nadu_on_February_7
A day after the two-week ban was revoked on the controversial film 'Vishwaroopam', Kamal Haasan on Monday announced that his film will hit theatres on February 7. "The film will release all over Tamil Nadu on Thursday, February 7," said Kamal in a statement. For more info log on to: www.youtube.com/abpnewsTV
Vishwaroopam to be released in Tamil Nadu on February 7
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 0:58
- Updated: 05 Feb 2013
Actor-director Kamal Haasan today announced release of his controversial film 'Vishwaroopam' in Tamil Nadu on February 7 as he withdrew his petition against the ban on the movie in Madras High Court. The announcement comes a day after the ban on the film under Section 144 of CrPc was lifted by District Collectors across the state following a compromise reached on Saturday between Haasan and Muslim outfits who were up in arms against it, claiming the film offended their sentiments. For more log on to www.newsx.com Follow NewsX on Facebook at https
http://wn.com/Vishwaroopam_to_be_released_in_Tamil_Nadu_on_February_7
Actor-director Kamal Haasan today announced release of his controversial film 'Vishwaroopam' in Tamil Nadu on February 7 as he withdrew his petition against the ban on the movie in Madras High Court. The announcement comes a day after the ban on the film under Section 144 of CrPc was lifted by District Collectors across the state following a compromise reached on Saturday between Haasan and Muslim outfits who were up in arms against it, claiming the film offended their sentiments. For more log on to www.newsx.com Follow NewsX on Facebook at https
- published: 04 Feb 2013
- views: 191
- author: newsxlive
Cauvery row: Release more water to TN, SC tells K'taka
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:05
- Updated: 04 Feb 2013
The Supreme Court has directed Karnataka to release 2 tmc feet of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court has also slammed the Centre for not notifying the order given by the Cauvery Water Tribunal five years ago. The court was hearing cross petitions by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka rooted in the September 19, 2012 interim order of the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) directing Karnataka to release 9000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu every day till October 15, 2012.
http://wn.com/Cauvery_row_Release_more_water_to_TN,_SC_tells_K'taka
The Supreme Court has directed Karnataka to release 2 tmc feet of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court has also slammed the Centre for not notifying the order given by the Cauvery Water Tribunal five years ago. The court was hearing cross petitions by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka rooted in the September 19, 2012 interim order of the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) directing Karnataka to release 9000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu every day till October 15, 2012.
- published: 04 Feb 2013
- views: 21
- author: ibnlive
Cauvery row: Release more water to TN, SC tells K'taka
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:11
- Updated: 04 Feb 2013
The Supreme Court has directed Karnataka to release 2 tmc feet of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court has also slammed the Centre for not notifying the order given by the Cauvery Water Tribunal five years ago. It has now directed the Centre to notify the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal award by February 20. In the last hearing the apex court refrained from passing any fresh orders after Tamil Nadu and Karnataka failed to reach a consensus on sharing water.
http://wn.com/Cauvery_row_Release_more_water_to_TN,_SC_tells_K'taka
The Supreme Court has directed Karnataka to release 2 tmc feet of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court has also slammed the Centre for not notifying the order given by the Cauvery Water Tribunal five years ago. It has now directed the Centre to notify the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal award by February 20. In the last hearing the apex court refrained from passing any fresh orders after Tamil Nadu and Karnataka failed to reach a consensus on sharing water.
- published: 04 Feb 2013
- views: 24
- author: ibnlive
I think Tamil Nadu wants me out: Kamal Haasan on Vishwaroopam battle
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 10:48
- Updated: 05 Feb 2013
Actor Kamal Haasan reacts on Tamil Nadu government's appeal against the High Court verdict that allows big-budget thriller Vishwaroopam to release in the state.
http://wn.com/I_think_Tamil_Nadu_wants_me_out_Kamal_Haasan_on_Vishwaroopam_battle
Actor Kamal Haasan reacts on Tamil Nadu government's appeal against the High Court verdict that allows big-budget thriller Vishwaroopam to release in the state.
- published: 30 Jan 2013
- views: 49686
- author: ndtv
Madurai - TamilNadu - South India - 2011
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 6:23
- Updated: 02 Feb 2013
www.oochappan.be Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India, with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre Christian era. The glory of Madurai returned in a diminished form in the earlier part of this millennium; it later on came under the rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom after its ransack by the ravaging armies of Delhi (Malik Kafur). During the 16th and 18th centuries, Madurai was ruled by the Nayak Emperors, the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar. The Sangam period poet Nakkeerar is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal episodes of Sundareswarar - that are enacted as a part of temple festival traditions even today. The Sangam age or the Golden age of Tamil literature -- produced masterpieces way back in the Pre christian era and in early 1st millennium . Madurai was the seat of the Tamil Sangam or Academy of learning. The entire city of Madurai, is built around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple -- the temple par excellence. Concentric rectangular streets surround the temple, symbolizing the structure of the cosmos. Many people come to Madurai to visit the famous Meenakshi Temple and the Jallikattu but the real high points of Madurai life you will find on the countryside and around the temple in the city. photos Madurai : www.flickr.com
http://wn.com/Madurai_TamilNadu_South_India_2011
www.oochappan.be Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India, with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre Christian era. The glory of Madurai returned in a diminished form in the earlier part of this millennium; it later on came under the rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom after its ransack by the ravaging armies of Delhi (Malik Kafur). During the 16th and 18th centuries, Madurai was ruled by the Nayak Emperors, the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar. The Sangam period poet Nakkeerar is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal episodes of Sundareswarar - that are enacted as a part of temple festival traditions even today. The Sangam age or the Golden age of Tamil literature -- produced masterpieces way back in the Pre christian era and in early 1st millennium . Madurai was the seat of the Tamil Sangam or Academy of learning. The entire city of Madurai, is built around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple -- the temple par excellence. Concentric rectangular streets surround the temple, symbolizing the structure of the cosmos. Many people come to Madurai to visit the famous Meenakshi Temple and the Jallikattu but the real high points of Madurai life you will find on the countryside and around the temple in the city. photos Madurai : www.flickr.com
- published: 17 May 2011
- views: 31763
- author: oochappan
Kamal Speech: I want to leave India | Emotional press meet today | Viswaroopam | Tamil nadu
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 10:08
- Updated: 05 Feb 2013
Actor-director Kamal Haasan on Wednesday said that he is thinking of leaving Tamil Nadu for some other secular state in India as the problems over his movie Vishwaroopam's release seems to still on despite an interim Madras HC order clearing a state government ban. "I will look at all the states from Kashmir to Kerala excluding Tamil Nadu. If I don't find one which is secular, I will leave for another country. MF Hussain had to leave, now Haasan will have to," said the actor, whose movie's release was stopped by TN state government authorities last week after a few Muslim groups protested. Subscribe for exclusive interviews, events, gossips etc bit.ly
http://wn.com/Kamal_Speech_I_want_to_leave_India_|_Emotional_press_meet_today_|_Viswaroopam_|_Tamil_nadu
Actor-director Kamal Haasan on Wednesday said that he is thinking of leaving Tamil Nadu for some other secular state in India as the problems over his movie Vishwaroopam's release seems to still on despite an interim Madras HC order clearing a state government ban. "I will look at all the states from Kashmir to Kerala excluding Tamil Nadu. If I don't find one which is secular, I will leave for another country. MF Hussain had to leave, now Haasan will have to," said the actor, whose movie's release was stopped by TN state government authorities last week after a few Muslim groups protested. Subscribe for exclusive interviews, events, gossips etc bit.ly
- published: 30 Jan 2013
- views: 78513
- author: IGtamil
Why Kamal Hassan's Viswaroopam banned by Tamil Nadu Government?
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:57
- Updated: 04 Feb 2013
Read Text Version wp.me 'Viswaroopam' is the latest movie of Kamal Hassan and the screening of the film is banned by the Tamil Nadu government. The film is produced and directed by Kamal Hassan.
http://wn.com/Why_Kamal_Hassan's_Viswaroopam_banned_by_Tamil_Nadu_Government?
Read Text Version wp.me 'Viswaroopam' is the latest movie of Kamal Hassan and the screening of the film is banned by the Tamil Nadu government. The film is produced and directed by Kamal Hassan.
- published: 24 Jan 2013
- views: 8502
- author: AEG IndiaOrg
Vishwaroopam: Kamal Haasan paying the price of Tamil Nadu's cinema politics?
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:13
- Updated: 05 Feb 2013
With Kamal Haasan's request to meet the most powerful person in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, being turned down, the iconic actor has turned to the people. Now that the Madras High Court, in a ruling that overturned a judge's order, has said 'Vishwaroopam' cannot open till February 6, left with no option, Haasan says he will leave Tamil Nadu. "Will leave Tamil Nadu if I am forced to. I will find my secular space outside Tamil Nadu. So many stories are being told to me. I really don't know what could be the real reason," he said.
http://wn.com/Vishwaroopam_Kamal_Haasan_paying_the_price_of_Tamil_Nadu's_cinema_politics?
With Kamal Haasan's request to meet the most powerful person in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, being turned down, the iconic actor has turned to the people. Now that the Madras High Court, in a ruling that overturned a judge's order, has said 'Vishwaroopam' cannot open till February 6, left with no option, Haasan says he will leave Tamil Nadu. "Will leave Tamil Nadu if I am forced to. I will find my secular space outside Tamil Nadu. So many stories are being told to me. I really don't know what could be the real reason," he said.
- published: 30 Jan 2013
- views: 5391
- author: ibnlive
Is Kamal Haasan victim of a political game of Tamil Nadu government?
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 37:52
- Updated: 05 Feb 2013
Actor and director Kamal Haasan has said he is the victim of a political game. Is this cultural terrorism by the Tamil Nadu government? Is he being hounded by the state government?
http://wn.com/Is_Kamal_Haasan_victim_of_a_political_game_of_Tamil_Nadu_government?
Actor and director Kamal Haasan has said he is the victim of a political game. Is this cultural terrorism by the Tamil Nadu government? Is he being hounded by the state government?
- published: 30 Jan 2013
- views: 4155
- author: ibnlive
Sri Lankan pilgrims attacked in Tamil Nadu - NewsX
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:39
- Updated: 10 Oct 2012
Sri Lankan pilgrims were targeted for the second day today with three buses carrying them to the Tiruchirapalli airport attacked by activists of Tamil outfits. Sticks and stones were hurled by the activists near Kattur at three of the seven buses carrying 178 pilgrims on their way to fly back home, leaving three with bruises as they rushed out of the vehicles, police said. The group earlier faced the ire of Tamil outfits in the morning at the Christian shrine at Velankanni when they tried to block their vehicles while returning after prayers. For more log onto- www.newsx.com
http://wn.com/Sri_Lankan_pilgrims_attacked_in_Tamil_Nadu_NewsX
Sri Lankan pilgrims were targeted for the second day today with three buses carrying them to the Tiruchirapalli airport attacked by activists of Tamil outfits. Sticks and stones were hurled by the activists near Kattur at three of the seven buses carrying 178 pilgrims on their way to fly back home, leaving three with bruises as they rushed out of the vehicles, police said. The group earlier faced the ire of Tamil outfits in the morning at the Christian shrine at Velankanni when they tried to block their vehicles while returning after prayers. For more log onto- www.newsx.com
- published: 04 Sep 2012
- views: 10289
- author: newsxlive
Monsoon hits Tamil Nadu, claims 20 lives - NewsX
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:13
- Updated: 22 Oct 2012
The North-East monsoon lashes Tamil Nadu and leaves twenty persons dead during the two-day rains that lashed various parts of the state. Tamil Nadu Chief minister J Jayalalithaa, who reviewed the arrangements to tackle the northeast monsoon has ordered officials to provide `2.5lakh each as compensation to the kin of the dead. She has also announced help to those who've suffered injuries or loss of livestock or property. The victims, including women, were killed in incidents such as electrocution and lightning strikes. The CM asked ministers to visit their districts regularly and take stock of the situation, as rains are expected to continue till December-end. For more log on to www.newsx.com
http://wn.com/Monsoon_hits_Tamil_Nadu,_claims_20_lives_NewsX
The North-East monsoon lashes Tamil Nadu and leaves twenty persons dead during the two-day rains that lashed various parts of the state. Tamil Nadu Chief minister J Jayalalithaa, who reviewed the arrangements to tackle the northeast monsoon has ordered officials to provide `2.5lakh each as compensation to the kin of the dead. She has also announced help to those who've suffered injuries or loss of livestock or property. The victims, including women, were killed in incidents such as electrocution and lightning strikes. The CM asked ministers to visit their districts regularly and take stock of the situation, as rains are expected to continue till December-end. For more log on to www.newsx.com
- published: 22 Oct 2012
- views: 510
- author: newsxlive
Vishwaroopam row :Emotional Kamal Hassan talks about leaving Tamil Nadu and India
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:13
- Updated: 04 Feb 2013
Vishwaroopam row :Emotional Kamal Hassan talks about leaving Tamil Nadu and India, Kamal Hassan says that he is a victim of political revenge - Asianet News Report
http://wn.com/Vishwaroopam_row_Emotional_Kamal_Hassan_talks_about_leaving_Tamil_Nadu_and_India
Vishwaroopam row :Emotional Kamal Hassan talks about leaving Tamil Nadu and India, Kamal Hassan says that he is a victim of political revenge - Asianet News Report
- published: 30 Jan 2013
- views: 21943
- author: asianetnews
Vishwaroopam faces blocks in Tamil Nadu - TV9
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:29
- Updated: 02 Feb 2013
Vishwaroopam faces blocks in Tamil Nadu For more content go to www.freetv9.com Follow us on facebook at http Follow us on twitter at twitter.com
http://wn.com/Vishwaroopam_faces_blocks_in_Tamil_Nadu_TV9
Vishwaroopam faces blocks in Tamil Nadu For more content go to www.freetv9.com Follow us on facebook at http Follow us on twitter at twitter.com
- published: 02 Feb 2013
- views: 1310
- author: tv9telugu
Jawahirullah, RK Selvamani & Seeman View on Viswaroopam in Tamil Nadu -2013-01-24
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 26:57
- Updated: 05 Feb 2013
Jawahirullah, RK Selvamani & Seeman View on Viswaroopam in Tamil Nadu -2013-01-24
http://wn.com/Jawahirullah,_RK_Selvamani_Seeman_View_on_Viswaroopam_in_Tamil_Nadu_-2013-01-24
Jawahirullah, RK Selvamani & Seeman View on Viswaroopam in Tamil Nadu -2013-01-24
- published: 23 Jan 2013
- views: 52753
- author: tamilanmpk
KH SPEAKS ABOUT THE RELEASE OF VISHWAROOPAM IN TAMIL NADU
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:48
- Updated: 05 Feb 2013
The height of Valour is Non-Violence and you were its true valorous soldiers. Tamilnadu will remember you in its history of harmony. The real 'Vishwaroopam' according to me, is the overwhelming support from the people. I offer my small work of art in their honor. Jai Hind
http://wn.com/KH_SPEAKS_ABOUT_THE_RELEASE_OF_VISHWAROOPAM_IN_TAMIL_NADU
The height of Valour is Non-Violence and you were its true valorous soldiers. Tamilnadu will remember you in its history of harmony. The real 'Vishwaroopam' according to me, is the overwhelming support from the people. I offer my small work of art in their honor. Jai Hind
- published: 05 Feb 2013
- views: 5347
- author: maiamtheatre
Seeman News -2013-01-24- View on Viswaroopam Movie Ban in Tamil Nadu
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 5:26
- Updated: 04 Feb 2013
http://wn.com/Seeman_News_-2013-01-24_View_on_Viswaroopam_Movie_Ban_in_Tamil_Nadu
Fight at Tamil Nadu Film Producer Council. SAC Group Vs. KR Group
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:31
- Updated: 05 Feb 2013
Director-producer SA Chandrasekar, the president of Tamil Film Producers' Council(TFPC) has lost in the no-confidence vote, that was brought by the Keyar group to remove him from the post of president. In The Results announced on saturday, Chandrasekhar got just 10 votes in his favor, while 204 were against him, and 1 vote was counted as void. SA Chandrasekhar was elected as the new president of Tamil Nadu Producers in the election held on October 9th,2011, beating his opponents Keyar and Sreenivasan. On October 28, 2012, a section of producers, led by Keyar, had brought a no-confidence motion against president SAC, in the special general body meeting. After much heated arguments, Chaos and confusion, the voting was held under the supervision of Madras High Court-appointed Justice Mr. E Padmanabhan. Later SA Chandrasekhar had sought a stay against counting the no-confidence polling votes and the results were not announced. On Friday (Feb 1,2013) the case was taken up for hearing and Justice E Padmanabhan, who was appointed by the Madras High Court to preside over the Sunday's general body meeting of the Council, submitted his report before the court. On the same day, the votes polled were counted and the results turned out in favor of Keyar. Now it needs to be seen as to whether the SA Chandrasekar steps down from his post or is forced to
http://wn.com/Fight_at_Tamil_Nadu_Film_Producer_Council_SAC_Group_Vs_KR_Group
Director-producer SA Chandrasekar, the president of Tamil Film Producers' Council(TFPC) has lost in the no-confidence vote, that was brought by the Keyar group to remove him from the post of president. In The Results announced on saturday, Chandrasekhar got just 10 votes in his favor, while 204 were against him, and 1 vote was counted as void. SA Chandrasekhar was elected as the new president of Tamil Nadu Producers in the election held on October 9th,2011, beating his opponents Keyar and Sreenivasan. On October 28, 2012, a section of producers, led by Keyar, had brought a no-confidence motion against president SAC, in the special general body meeting. After much heated arguments, Chaos and confusion, the voting was held under the supervision of Madras High Court-appointed Justice Mr. E Padmanabhan. Later SA Chandrasekhar had sought a stay against counting the no-confidence polling votes and the results were not announced. On Friday (Feb 1,2013) the case was taken up for hearing and Justice E Padmanabhan, who was appointed by the Madras High Court to preside over the Sunday's general body meeting of the Council, submitted his report before the court. On the same day, the votes polled were counted and the results turned out in favor of Keyar. Now it needs to be seen as to whether the SA Chandrasekar steps down from his post or is forced to
- published: 05 Feb 2013
- views: 2
- author: TamilTVTamilMovies
Viswaroopam -2013-01-30- If Current Condition Exist I will Quit Tamil Nadu & India
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 8:18
- Updated: 04 Feb 2013
http://wn.com/Viswaroopam_-2013-01-30_If_Current_Condition_Exist_I_will_Quit_Tamil_Nadu_India
Kamal Haasan Speaks about the release of VISHWAROOPAM in tamil nadu Exclusive
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:48
- Updated: 05 Feb 2013
Kamal Haasan ( Aadu Puli Atham , Aakhri Sangram Aalavandhan Ananda Jyoti Andamaina Anubhavam Andha Oru Nimidam Annai Velankanni Antharangam Apoorva Sagodharargal Arrangetram Aval Appadithaan Avargal Avvai Shanmugi Bombay Chattam En Kaiyil Cinema Paithiyam Dasavatharam Enakkul Oruvan Guna Guru ) Subscribe for telugu tamil exclusive movie trailers - goo.gl
http://wn.com/Kamal_Haasan_Speaks_about_the_release_of_VISHWAROOPAM_in_tamil_nadu_Exclusive
Kamal Haasan ( Aadu Puli Atham , Aakhri Sangram Aalavandhan Ananda Jyoti Andamaina Anubhavam Andha Oru Nimidam Annai Velankanni Antharangam Apoorva Sagodharargal Arrangetram Aval Appadithaan Avargal Avvai Shanmugi Bombay Chattam En Kaiyil Cinema Paithiyam Dasavatharam Enakkul Oruvan Guna Guru ) Subscribe for telugu tamil exclusive movie trailers - goo.gl
- published: 05 Feb 2013
- views: 833
- author: FilmyTime
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Gane Tomar Mone - Watch Full Episode 53 of 13th November 2012
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 65:00
- Updated: 21 Jan 2013
The show gives the youth of Tamil Nadu a chance to showcase their singing talents, win the hearts of the viewers and fulfill their dreams to become the singing sensation of TN. The musical journey of the youth aged 16 to 35 years started this August with their participation in the auditions for this biggest musical talent hunt show. 5000 plus aspiring singers battled in the auditions which took place in the major cities of TN like Trichy, Madurai, Coimbatore and Chennai, of which 150 of them stepped into the Mega Auditions in Chennai. 30 top voices of TN were finally selected and their journey into the most challenging musical shows has started. These 30 contestants are being trained by voice experts and groomed by singers to get them prepared for the big competition.. Eminent musicians/singers Mohan Vaidhya,Prashanthini and Harish Raghvendra are the judges for the first phase of this show. Show starts with the most different and the best voices of TN and captures the reality elements of every contestant. Tune into Zee Tamizh every Saturday and Sunday @ 8pm to catch up with the biggest musical show ever in Tamil.
http://wn.com/Sa_Re_Ga_Ma_Pa_Gane_Tomar_Mone_Watch_Full_Episode_53_of_13th_November_2012
The show gives the youth of Tamil Nadu a chance to showcase their singing talents, win the hearts of the viewers and fulfill their dreams to become the singing sensation of TN. The musical journey of the youth aged 16 to 35 years started this August with their participation in the auditions for this biggest musical talent hunt show. 5000 plus aspiring singers battled in the auditions which took place in the major cities of TN like Trichy, Madurai, Coimbatore and Chennai, of which 150 of them stepped into the Mega Auditions in Chennai. 30 top voices of TN were finally selected and their journey into the most challenging musical shows has started. These 30 contestants are being trained by voice experts and groomed by singers to get them prepared for the big competition.. Eminent musicians/singers Mohan Vaidhya,Prashanthini and Harish Raghvendra are the judges for the first phase of this show. Show starts with the most different and the best voices of TN and captures the reality elements of every contestant. Tune into Zee Tamizh every Saturday and Sunday @ 8pm to catch up with the biggest musical show ever in Tamil.
- published: 15 Nov 2012
- views: 14838
- author: zeebangla
'Vishwaroopam' Release in Tamil Nadu, Kamal Haasan to Announce-TV9
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:57
- Updated: 04 Feb 2013
Chennai: Actor Kamal Haasan is likely to announce the new date of his film Vishwaroopam's release in Tamil Nadu. On Sunday, the ban on the film was lifted after he agreed to make several cuts and edits, following a court battle and opposition from certain Muslim groups.
http://wn.com/'Vishwaroopam'_Release_in_Tamil_Nadu,_Kamal_Haasan_to_Announce-TV9
Chennai: Actor Kamal Haasan is likely to announce the new date of his film Vishwaroopam's release in Tamil Nadu. On Sunday, the ban on the film was lifted after he agreed to make several cuts and edits, following a court battle and opposition from certain Muslim groups.
- published: 04 Feb 2013
- author: tv9maharashtra
Cauvery Water sSharing Row SC Tells Karnataka To Release More Water To Tamil Nadu
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:34
- Updated: 05 Feb 2013
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed Karnataka to release 2 tmc feet of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court has also slammed the Centre for not notifying the order given by the Cauvery Water Tribunal five years ago. It has now directed the Centre to notify the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal award by February 20. In the last hearing the apex court refrained from passing any fresh orders after Tamil Nadu and Karnataka failed to reach a consensus on sharing water. Earlier on January 30, Karnataka had told the Supreme Court that it cannot spare any more water for Tamil Nadu as it would affect the water needs of its own people.
http://wn.com/Cauvery_Water_sSharing_Row_SC_Tells_Karnataka_To_Release_More_Water_To_Tamil_Nadu
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed Karnataka to release 2 tmc feet of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court has also slammed the Centre for not notifying the order given by the Cauvery Water Tribunal five years ago. It has now directed the Centre to notify the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal award by February 20. In the last hearing the apex court refrained from passing any fresh orders after Tamil Nadu and Karnataka failed to reach a consensus on sharing water. Earlier on January 30, Karnataka had told the Supreme Court that it cannot spare any more water for Tamil Nadu as it would affect the water needs of its own people.
- published: 05 Feb 2013
- author: rajnews41
photo: AP / Manish
02 Feb 2013
NEW DELHI — A crowd of Tibetans came here to India’s capital last week, bearing flags and political banners and a bittersweet admixture of hope and despair. A grim countdown was under way. The number of Tibetans who have set themselves on fire to protest Chinese rule in Tibet had reached 99, one short of an anguished milestone. Enlarge This Image. Freetibet.org, via Associated Press ... Related ... Connect With Us on Twitter ... (Mr ... Mr ... ....(size: 10.7Kb)
photo: AP / Jerome Delay
04 Feb 2013
French warplanes have carried out air strikes in Mali's far north as they try to secure the final rebel stronghold of Kidal after a three-week offensive. Thirty jets targeted Islamist militants' training and communication centres around Tessalit - a mountainous area near the Algerian border. French President Francois Hollande has pledged to help rebuild Mali after the rebels who seized its north are beaten ... ....(size: 2.7Kb)
photo: AP / SANA
04 Feb 2013
Tweet. London, Feb. 4 (ANI). Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has accused Israel of trying to 'destabilise' his country. Assad's comments came as he claimed that last week's airstrike showed the Jewish state was behind the revolution seeking to overthrow his regime ... Assad insisted however, that his country could still meet 'current threats and aggression' ... (ANI) ... Israel ... ... ) .. ). ... . . . . . .. . . .. ....(size: 3.0Kb)
photo: AP / Vahid Salemi
05 Feb 2013
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has arrived in Cairo, marking the first visit to Egypt by an Iranian president since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution. Ahmadinejad flew into the capital, Cairo, to attend a summit of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC), which begins on Wednesday. Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi kissed the Iranian leader as he got off the plane on Tuesday ... "My wish is bigger than this ... Iran does not recognise Israel ... ....(size: 17.9Kb)
photo: UN / John Isaac
04 Feb 2013
About 800,000 people died during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. ....(size: 0.5Kb)
Yahoo Daily News
05 Feb 2013
The movie will be opened in Tamil Nadu after a court ordered ban. Kamal Haasan has thanked his fans, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Muslim community for assisting in release of the movie, reports Tamilstar.com. Chennai, Tamil Nadu (PRWEB) February 04, 2013 After a long battle and much debate, Tamil movie star Kamal Hasan's latest movie ‘Vishwaroopam’ has been cleared to play in Tamil Nadu....(size: 2.3Kb)
Newstrack India
05 Feb 2013
Tweet. Chennai, Feb 5 (IANS) Legislators belonging to opposition DMK party were evicted Tuesday from the Tamil Nadu assembly after they held a demonstration against the ruling AIADMK inside the house ... Intervening, Finance Minister and Leader of House O ... Provoked by Panneerselvam's remarks, the DMK members protested. Queering the pitch was Housing Minister R ... Tamil Nadu ... Tamil University ... Panchanathikulam Nadu Sethi ... ) .. ). ... . . . . . .. ....(size: 3.0Kb)
Newstrack India
05 Feb 2013
Tweet. Chennai, Feb 5 (IANS) Over 200 delegates will take part in a three-day summit on child survival and development from Feb 7 in Tamil Nadu, an official said. It will be inaugurated by union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad ... Post comments.. ) .. ).. Comments.. HOME . . . . . . .. . . .. ....(size: 2.6Kb)
Newstrack India
05 Feb 2013
Tweet. New Delhi, Feb 5 (ANI). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will hold national summit on "Call to Action for Child Survival and Development" at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu on February 7-9. The summit will be organized in partnership with UNICEF and USAID ... "Though the average Under Five Child Mortality Rate has been lower in urban areas, the rate of decline in rural areas has been much faster ... "The Call to Action ... (ANI) ... ) .. ).....(size: 3.3Kb)
Indian Express
05 Feb 2013
Thanking the Tamil Nadu Govt and Chief Minister Jayalalitha, Kamal Haasan said, "Surmounting many barriers and bans, Vishwaroopam is now ready to be ......(size: 0.8Kb)
Headlines India
05 Feb 2013
"I am ever grateful to the Tamil Nadu and Indian people at large. Many peers in the trade in Tamil Nadu also reached out personally to enquire ... The Rs.95 crore espionage thriller was set for release in Tamil and Telugu Jan 25, but a day before the release the Tamil Nadu government imposed a two-week ban on it fearing protests by Muslim groups....(size: 2.1Kb)
Chennai Online
05 Feb 2013
The new office bearers for the Tamil Nadu CITU were announced by All India President of the CITU A K Padmanabhan at a public meeting held here last night to mark the conclusion of the 4-day 12th state Conference of the Tamil Nadu State CITU which commenced here on Friday ......(size: 1.7Kb)
The Hindu
05 Feb 2013
Newstrack India
05 Feb 2013
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) The Supreme Court Tuesday fumed over the absence of chief secretaries of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Arunachal Pradesh who were told to explain the failure of their respective administrations to respond to a notice to file status report on missing children ... Tamil Nadu ....(size: 3.2Kb)
The Times of India
05 Feb 2013
The study was conducted by NGO Prayas, along with other similar organisations working on access to healthcare, to assess the out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure (spending by people from their own resources) in rural areas of five states - Assam, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand ... Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu show marginal improvement ... It was lowest in Tamil Nadu (16%)....(size: 5.3Kb)
Zeenews
05 Feb 2013
Tamil Nadu Government today gave an undertaking before Madras High Court that state Assembly's Privileges Committee will not hold any proceedings against Editor of Tamil bi-weekly 'Nakkeeran' R R Gopal for a period of three weeks ... Tamil Nadu Government had filed a writ appeal before the Madras High Court, after the court's single judge directed the ......(size: 2.3Kb)
Chennai Online
05 Feb 2013
Thajavur, Tamil Nadu, Feb 4 ... The Supreme Court yesterday asked Karnataka to release 2 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic feet) of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu and asked the Central Water Commission (CWC) to file report on the water requirement of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu....(size: 2.2Kb)
Chennai Online
05 Feb 2013
Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, Feb 5 ... due to suspected electrical short-circuit and destroyed the electrical substation, said Mr G V Palanivel, Executive Engineer of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB), Srivilliputhur, today ... The fire was extinguished by personnel of Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Department after a couple of hours battle....(size: 1.9Kb)
| Tamil Nadu | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| — State — | |||
|
|||
| Motto: Truth alone Triumphs | |||
| Anthem: Invocation to Goddess Tamil | |||
 |
|||
 |
|||
| Coordinates: 13°05′N 80°16′E / 13.09°N 80.27°E / 13.09; 80.27Coordinates: 13°05′N 80°16′E / 13.09°N 80.27°E / 13.09; 80.27 | |||
| Country |  India |
||
| Established | 26 January 1950† | ||
| Capital | Chennai | ||
| Largest cities | Chennai,Madurai,Coimbatore | ||
| Districts | 32 total | ||
| Government | |||
| • Governor | Konijeti Rosaiah | ||
| • Chief Minister | Jayalalithaa (AIADMK) | ||
| • Legislature | Unicameral (234 seats) | ||
| • Chief Justice | M. Yusuf Eqbal | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 130,058 km2 (50,216 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | 11th | ||
| Population (2011)[1] | |||
| • Total | 72,138,958 | ||
| • Rank | 7th | ||
| • Density | 550/km2 (1,400/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) | ||
| ISO 3166 code | IN-TN | ||
| HDI |  0.666 (medium) |
||
| HDI rank | 10th (2006)[2] | ||
| Literacy | 80.3% (11th) | ||
| Official languages | Tamil தமிழ் | ||
| Website | tn.gov.in | ||
| ^† Established in 1773; Madras State was formed in 1950 and renamed as Tamil Nadu on 14 January 1969[3] | |||
Tamil Nadu /ˈtæmɨl ˈnɑːduː/ (Tamiḻ Nāṭu [t̪amɨɭ naːɖɯ] ( listen)) is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital is Chennai, the largest city. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. It is bound by the Eastern Ghats in the north, the Nilgiri, the Anamalai Hills, and Palakkad on the west, by the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Gulf of Mannar, the Palk Strait in the south east, and by the Indian Ocean in the south.
Tamil Nadu is the eleventh largest state in India by area and the seventh most populous state. It is the fourth largest contributor (as of 2010)[4] to India's GDP and ranks tenth in Human Development Index as of 2006.[2] Tamil Nadu is also the most urbanised state in India.[5] The state has the highest number (10.56%) of business enterprises and stands second in total employment (9.97%) in India,[6] compared to the population share of about 6%.
The region has been the home of the Tamil people since at least 500 BCE. Its official language Tamil has been in use in inscriptions and literature for over 2000 years.[7] Tamil Nadu is home to many natural resources, Hindu temples of Dravidian architecture, hill stations, beach resorts, multi-religious pilgrimage sites and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.[8][9]
Contents |
History[link]
Main article: History of Tamil Nadu
Prehistory[link]
Tamil Nadu's history dates back to pre-historic times. Archaeological evidence points to this area being one of the longest continuous habitations in India.[10] In Adichanallur, 24 km (15 mi) from Tirunelveli, archaeologists from the Archaeological Survey of India unearthed 169 clay urns containing human skulls, skeletons and bones, plus husks and grains of rice, charred rice and Neolithic celts, giving evidence confirming them to be of the Neolithic period, 3800 years ago.[11] The ASI archaeologists have proposed that the script used at that site is "very rudimentary" Tamil Brahmi.[12] Adichanallur has been announced as an archaeological site for further excavation and studies.[13] About 60% of the total epigraphical inscriptions found by ASI in India are from Tamil Nadu and most of which are in Tamil language.[14] Geologists have discovered hundreds of fossilised dinosaur eggs, perhaps 65 million years old, underneath a stream in a tiny village in Ariyalur district.[15] Researchers from the Salem-based Periyar University believe that the clusters of eggs belonged to the aggressive Carnosaur and the leaf-eating Sauropoda.[16]
File:Horse drawn chariot Darasuram.jpg
A sculpture at Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram, built by Tamil Chola Kings. The group of monuments are UNESCO World Heritage sites
Medieval Period (600–1300)[link]
Main article: History of Tamil Nadu
The Cholas who were very active during the Sangam age were entirely absent during the first few centuries.[17] The period started with the rivalry between the Pandyas and the Pallavas, which in turn caused the revival of the Cholas. The Cholas went on to becoming a great power. Their decline saw the brief resurgence of the Pandyas. This period was also that of the re-invigorated Hinduism during which temple building and religious literature were at their best.[18] The Cheras ruled in southern India from before the Sangam era (300 BCE – 250 CE) over the Coimbatore, Karur, Salem Districts in present day Tamil Nadu and present day Kerala from the capital of Vanchi Muthur in the west, (thought to be modern Karur). They traded extensively from nearby Muziris, in spices, ivory, timber, pearls and gems, with the ancient kingdoms of Egypt, Rome, Greece, Ceylon, Phoenicia, Arabia, Mesopotamia and Persia. The Kalabhras, invaded and displaced the three Tamil kingdoms and ruled between the third and the seventh centuries CE of the Sangam period. This is referred to as the Dark Age in Tamil history. They were expelled by the Pallavas and the Pandyas in sixth century.
During Kalabhras' rule Jainism flourished in the land of the Tamils. The didactic work Naaladiyar was composed during their reign. It consists of moral sayings in the venpa meter, 400 in number in 40 chapters, each by one Jain ascetic, according to tradition. Following in the tradition of Jainism, Naaladiyar emphasises virtues such as control of the senses, asceticism, renunciation, and other desirable social qualities. Because the Kalabhras gave protection to Jains and perhaps Buddhists, too, some have concluded that they were anti-Hindu, although this latter view is not undisputed.
During the forth to eighth centuries century CE, Tamil Nadu saw the rise of the Pallavas under Mahendravarman I and his son Mamalla Narasimhavarman I and his uncle Bodhidharma.[19] Pallavas ruled a large portion of South India with Kanchipuram as their capital. Dravidian architecture reached its peak during the Pallava rule. Narasimhavarman II built the Shore Temple which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Pallavas were replaced by the Cholas as the dominant kingdom in the 10th century C.E. and they in turn were replaced by Pandyas in the 13th century C.E. The Pandyan capital Madurai was in the deep south away from the coast. They had extensive trade links with the Southeast Asian maritime empires of Srivijaya and their successors, as well as contacts, even formal diplomatic contacts, reaching as far as the Roman Empire. During the 13th century C.E. Marco Polo mentioned the Pandyas as the richest empire in existence. Temples such as the Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai and Nellaiappar Temple at Tirunelveli are the best examples of Pandyan temple architecture.[20][21] The Pandyas excelled in both trade and literature. They controlled the pearl fisheries along the South Indian coast, between Sri Lanka and India, which produced some of the finest pearls in the known ancient world.
Chola Empire[link]
Main article: Chola dynasty
By the 9th century, during the times of the second Chola monarch Aditya I, his son Parantaka I, Parantaka Chola II itself the Chola empire had expanded into what is now interior Andhra Pradesh and coastal Karnataka, while under the great Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola, the Cholas rose as a notable power in south Asia. The Chola Empire stretched as far as Bengal. At its peak, the empire spanned almost 3,600,000 km2 (1,400,000 sq mi). Rajaraja Chola conquered all of peninsular South India and parts of the Sri Lanka. Rajendra Chola's navies went even further, occupying coasts from Burma (now Myanmar) to Vietnam,[22] the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Sumatra, Java, Malaya in South East Asia and Pegu islands. He defeated Mahipala, the king of the Bengal, and to commemorate his victory he built a new capital and named it Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Nearby this chola capital an sculptural carving temple is located at Melakadambur, which is supposedly the only Karakkoil in Tamil Nadu.
The Cholas excelled in building magnificent temples. Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur is a classical example of the magnificent architecture of the Chola kingdom. Brihadshwara temple is an UNESCO Heritage Site under "Great Living Chola Temples."[23] Another example is Annamalaiyar Temple located at the city of Tiruvannamalai and the Chidambaram Temple in the heart of the temple town of Chidambaram.
Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola period is said to be the golden period of Tamil Nadu, and under them the Chola empire rose to be the most powerful empire in all of South-India. With the decline of the Cholas between 1230 and 1280 CE, the Pandyas rose to prominence once again, under Maravarman Sundara Pandya and his younger brother, the celebrated Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan.
This revival was short-lived as the Pandya capital of Madurai itself was sacked by Alauddin Khilji's troops under General Malik Kafur in 1316. The Muslim invasion led to the establishment of the short lived Madurai Sultanate.[24]
Vijayanagar and Nayak period (1336–1646)[link]
Main article: Vijayanagara Empire
These Muslim invasions triggered the establishment of the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire in the Deccan. It eventually conquered the entire Tamil country (c. 1370 CE). This empire lasted for almost two centuries till the defeat of Vijayanagara in the Battle of Talikota in 1565. Subsequent to this defeat, many incompetent kings succeeded to the throne of Vijayanagara with the result that its grip loosened over its feudatories among whom the Nayaks of Madurai and Tanjore were among the first to declare their independence, despite initially maintaining loose links with the Vijayanagara kingdom."[20] As the Vijayanagara Empire went into decline after mid-16th century, the Nayak governors, who were appointed by the Vijayanagar kingdom to administer various territories of the empire, declared their independence. The Nayaks of Madurai and Nayaks of Thanjavur were most prominent of them all in the 17th century. They reconstructed some of the oldest temples in the country such as the Meenakshi Temple.
Rule of Nawabs and Nizams (1692–1801)[link]
In the early 18th century, the eastern parts of Tamil Nadu came under the dominions of the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Nawab of the Carnatic. While Wallajah was supported by the English, Chanda Shahib was supported by the French by the middle of the 18th century. In the late 18th century, the western parts of Tamil Nadu, came under the dominions of Hyder Ali and later Tipu Sultan, particularly with their victory in the Second Anglo-Mysore War.
European rule (1801–1947)[link]
Main article: Madras Presidency
Around 1609, the Dutch established a settlement in Pulicat, while the Danish had their establishment in Tranquebar (Tharangambadi). In 1639, the British, under the British East India Company, established a settlement further south of Pulicat, in present day Chennai. In the late 18th century, the British fought and reduced the French dominions in India to Pondicherry. Nizams of Hyderabad and the Nawabs of the Carnatic bestowed tax revenue collection rights on the East India Company for defeating the Kingdom of Mysore. After winning the Polygar wars, the East India Company consolidated most of southern India into the Madras Presidency coterminous with the dominions of Nizam of Hyderabad. Pudukkottai remained as a princely state.
Tamil Nadu in independent India (1947 -)[link]
When India became independent in 1947, Madras Presidency became Madras State, comprising present day Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh up to Ganjam district in Orissa, South Canara district Karnataka, and parts of Kerala. The state was subsequently split up along linguistic lines. In 1969, Madras State was renamed Tamil Nadu, meaning Tamil country. The name Tamil Nadu was given amidst much opposition
Geography[link]
File:Tamil Nadu from Space (Courtesy- NASA).jpg
Aerial view from space (Courtesy: NASA)
Tamil Nadu covers an area of 130,058 square kilometres (50,216 sq mi), and is the eleventh largest state in India. The bordering states are Kerala to the west, Karnataka to the northwest and Andhra Pradesh to the north. To the east is the Bay of Bengal and the union territory of Pondicherry. The southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula is located in Tamil Nadu. At this point is the town of Kanyakumari which is the meeting point of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean.
The western, southern and the north-western parts are hilly and rich in vegetation. The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats and they both meet at the Nilgiri hills.[25] The Western Ghats dominate the entire western border with Kerala, effectively blocking much of the rain bearing clouds of the South West Monsoon from entering the state. The eastern parts are fertile coastal plains and the northern parts are a mix of hills and plains. The central and the south central regions are arid plains and receive less rainfall than the other regions.
Tamil Nadu has a coastline of about 910 kilometres (600 mi) which is the country’s third longest coastline. Tamil Nadu's coastline bore the brunt of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami when it hit India, which caused 7,793 direct deaths in the state.[26] Tamil Nadu falls mostly in a region of low seismic hazard with the exception of the western border areas that lie in a low to moderate hazard zone; as per the 2002 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) map, Tamil Nadu falls in Zones II & III. Historically, parts of this region have experienced seismic activity in the M5.0 range.[27]
Climate[link]
Tamil Nadu is heavily dependent on monsoon rains, and thereby is prone to droughts when the monsoons fail. The climate of the state ranges from dry sub-humid to semi-arid. The state has three distinct periods of rainfall:
- advancing monsoon period, South West monsoon from June to September, with strong southwest winds;
- North East monsoon from October to December, with dominant northeast winds;
- dry season from January to May.
The normal annual rainfall of the state is about 945 mm (37.2 in) of which 48% is through the North East monsoon, and 32% through the South West monsoon. Since the state is entirely dependent on rains for recharging its water resources, monsoon failures lead to acute water scarcity and severe drought.[28]
Tamil Nadu is classified into seven agro-climatic zones: north-east, north-west, west, southern, high rainfall, high altitude hilly, and Cauvery Delta (the most fertile agricultural zone). The table below shows the maximum and minimum temperatures that the state experiences in the plains and hills.[29]
| Plains | Hills | |
|---|---|---|
| Max. | 43 °C (109 °F) | 32.3 °C (90.1 °F) |
| Min. | 13.1 °C (55.6 °F) | 0.0 °C (32.0 °F) |
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Governance and administration[link]
Main articles: Government of Tamil Nadu and Legislature of Tamil Nadu
The Governor is the Constitutional head of the state while the Chief Minister is the head of the government and the head of the council of ministers. The Chief Justice of the Madras High Court is the head of the judiciary. The present Governor, Chief Minister and the Chief Justice are Konijeti Rosaiah, J. Jayalalithaa and M. Y. Eqbal respectively.[31] Administratively the state is divided into 32 districts. It has 10 city corporations, 125 municipalities, 529 town panchayats and 12,524 village panchayats.[32][33] Chennai (formerly known as Madras) is the state capital. It is the fourth largest city in India and is also one of the eight Metropolitan cities of India. The state comprises 39 Lok Sabha constituencies and 234 Legislative Assembly constituencies.
Tamil Nadu had a bicameral legislature until 1986, when it was replaced with a unicameral legislature, like most other states in India. The term length of the government is 5 years, as is elsewhere in India. The present government run by the AIADMK led alliance came to power in 2011 and consists of a council of 33 ministers, headed by the Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha. The Tamil Nadu legislative assembly is housed at the Fort St. George in Chennai. The state had come under the President's rule rule on four occasions – first from 1976 to 1977, next for a short period in 1980, then from 1988 to 1989 and the latest in 1991.
The local administration is divided into revenue administration and developmental administration. Revenue Divisions of Tamil Nadu provides the Revenue divisions and Taluks of Tamil Nadu. These administrative units are classified based on the district. Each of the 32 districts in Tamil Nadu is divided into divisions, which are further divided to Taluks.[34] Each of these Taluks have a list of revenue villages under them. Tahsildar is the head of these Taluks. Developmental administration, in contrast, is carried out by Panchayat Unions (called blocks) in rural areas. These panchayat unions have a set of panchayat villages under them. In urban areas, the governance is done by municipal corporations, municipalities or town panchayats based on the size of the town.[34] Tamil Nadu has 10 municipal corporations: Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Vellore, Tirunelveli, Erode, Tirupur and Thoothukudi.
Tamil Nadu has been a pioneering state of E-Governance initiatives in India. A large part of the government records like land ownership records are digitised and all major offices of the state government like Urban Local Bodies — all the corporations and municipal office activities – revenue collection, land registration offices, and transport offices have been computerised. Tamil Nadu is one of the states where law and order has been maintained largely successfully.[35] The Tamil Nadu Police Force is over 140 years old. It is the fifth largest state police force in India and has the largest strength of women police personnel in the country.[36] As of 2003, the state had a total police population ratio of 1:668, higher than the national average of 1:717. The current Director General of Police (law and order) of Tamil Nadu is K. Ramanujan.[37]
Districts[link]
Main article: Districts of Tamil Nadu
The 32 districts of Tamil Nadu are listed below with the numbers corresponding to those in the image at right.
Politics[link]
| Political Alliance |
Assembly (2011) |
Lok Sabha (2009) |
|---|---|---|
| AIADMK+ | 203 | 12 |
| DMK+ | 31 | 27 |
| Independent/Other | 0 | 0 |
| Source: Election Commission of India.[38][39] | ||
Prior to Indian independence Tamil Nadu was under British colonial rule as part of the Madras Presidency. The main party in Tamil Nadu at that time was the Indian National Congress (INC). Regional parties have dominated state politics since 1916. One of the earliest regional parties, the South Indian Welfare Association, a forerunner to Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu, was started in 1916. The party was called after its English organ, Justice Party, by it opponents. Later, South Indian Liberal Federation was adopted as its official name. The reason for victory of the Justice Party in elections was the non-participation of the INC, demanding complete independence of India. Freedom movement saw great leaders like Muthuramalinga Thevar, K. Kamaraj, Subramanya Bharathi (a poet who inspired the freedom movement by his poetic skills), Subramania Siva, V. O. Chidambaram Pillai (Industrialist, who managed ships under the free India banner), Tiruppur Kumaran, Rajagopalachariar (Rajaji) and Sathyamurthi.
Periyar E. V. Ramasamy popularly known as Periyar, believed in agitational politics and took the Justice Party away from its original path. The Justice Party which had a moribund existence under E.V.Ramaswamy. He renamed the party Dravidar Kazhagam (DK for short) in 1944. DK was a non-political party which demanded the establishment of an independent state called Dravida Nadu. However, due to the differences between its two leaders EVR and C.N. Annadurai, the party was split. Annadurai left the party to form the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The DMK decided to enter politics in 1956.
File:AnnaMKMGR.jpg
Former chief ministers M.Karunanidhi (centre), C. N. Annadurai (left) and M. G. Ramachandran (right)
In the 19th century, western scholars discovered that the Dravidian languages dominating South India formed a different linguistic group than the Indo-Aryan languages predominant in North India. They also classified Indians into distinct Aryan and Dravidian races. It was proposed that the generally darker-skinned Dravidians constituted a distinct race. This concept has affected thinking in India about racial and regional differences and had an impact on aspects of Tamil nationalism, which has appropriated the claim that Dravidians are the earliest inhabitants of India, and the Aryan population were oppressive interlopers from whom Dravidians should liberate themselves.[40]
Re-organisation of Indian states according to linguistic and ethnic basis has moderated Tamil nationalism, especially the demand for separation from the Indian Union. The Anti-Hindi agitations in mid-1960s made the DMK more popular and a more powerful political force in the state. The DMK routed the INC in the 1967 elections and took control of the state government, ending INC's stronghold in Tamil Nadu. C.N. Annadurai became the DMK's first Chief Minister.
Muthuvel Karunanidhi took over as Chief Minister and party leader after Annadurai's death in 1969. Karunanidhi's leadership was soon challenged by M.G. Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR. In 1972, he split from DMK and formed the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK) and later renamed the party as All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam. He was the Chief Minister of the state from 1977 until his death in 1987. After the death of MGR AIADMK was defeated in 1989 assembly polls because of the Split of the party into two factions headed by Janaki (Wife of MGR) and Jayalalithaa. Later on J. Jayalalithaa took control of the party. She was elected as the General Secretary of the unified AIADMK. There have been several splits in both the DMK and the AIADMK, but since 1967 one of those two parties has held power in the state.
Demographics[link]
Main article: Demographics of Tamil Nadu
| Population Growth | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1951 | 30,119,000 |
|
|
| 1961 | 33,687,000 | 11.8% | |
| 1971 | 41,199,000 | 22.3% | |
| 1981 | 48,408,000 | 17.5% | |
| 1991 | 55,859,000 | 15.4% | |
| 2001 | 62,406,000 | 11.7% | |
| 2011 | 72,138,958 | 15.6% | |
| Source:Census of India[41] | |||
| Religions in Tamil Nadu[42] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Religion | Percent | |||
| Hinduism |
|
88.34% | ||
| Christianity |
|
6.08% | ||
| Islam |
|
5.57% | ||
| Others |
|
0.26% | ||
Tamil Nadu is the seventh most populous state in India with a population of 72,138,958 (5.96% of India's population; census 2011 fig.). It is the seventh most densely populated state in India with a population density of 555 persons per square kilometre as of 2011, having increased from 429 in 1991, significantly higher than the Indian average of 382 persons per square kilometre. 44% of the state's population live in urban areas, the highest among large states in India.[43]
Tamil Nadu's population grew by 15.6% between 2001 and 2011, the sixth lowest rate for that period amongst populous states (states whose population exceeded 20 million in 2011). Although its decadal rate of population growth has declined since 1971, the population growth during the last decade (2001–2011) has increased. The state has registered the lowest fertiliy rate along with Andhra Pradesh and Goa in India in year 2005–06 with 1.8 children born for each woman, lower than required for population sustainability.[44][45]
Hinduism is followed by the majority of the people. The distribution of population based on their faith, as of the 2001 census, is shown in the bar graph above. Hinduism is the dominant religion has a higher percentage of adherents in Tamil Nadu (88%) when compared to the national average (80.5%). Christianity, though a minority, has the highest population in absolute numbers when compared to other states. Jains make up 0.13% of the population. Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes comprise 19% and 1% of the population respectively.[46][47] Tamil is the official and the principal spoken language of the state. As of the 2001 Census, Tamil is spoken by 89.43% of the population followed by Telugu at 5.66%, Kannada at 1.68%, Urdu at 1.51% and Malayalam at 0.89%.[48]
Education and social development[link]
Main article: Education in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the most literate states in India.[49] Tamil Nadu has performed reasonably well in terms of literacy growth during the decade 2001–2011. The state's literacy rate increased from 83.47% in 2001 to 90.3% in 2011 which is above the national average. A survey conducted by the Industry body Assocham ranks Tamil Nadu top among Indian states with about 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in primary and upper primary education.[50] One of the basic limitations for improvement in education in the state is the rate of absence of teachers in public schools, which at 21.4% is significant.[51] The analysis of primary school education in the state by Pratham shows a low drop-off rate but poor quality of state education compared to other states.[52][53]
Tamil Nadu has 37 universities,[54] 455 engineering colleges, 449 Polytechnic Colleges[55] and 566 arts and science colleges, 34335 elementary schools, 5167 high schools, 5054 higher secondary schools and 5000 hospitals. Some of the notable educational institutes present in Tamil Nadu are College of Engineering, Guindy, IIT Madras, NIT Tiruchi, University of Madras, Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, Vellore Institute of Technology, SRM University, PSG College of Technology, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Ethiraj College for Women,Madras Christian College,Thanjavur Medical College, Madras Medical College, Loyola College, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madras Medical College,American College etc.
India has a human development index calculated as 0.619, while the corresponding figure for Tamil Nadu is 0.736, placing it among the top states in the country.[56][57] The life expectancy at birth for males is 65.2 years and for females it is 67.6 years.[58] However, it has a high level of poverty especially in the rural areas. As of 2004–2005, the poverty line was set at 
351.86/month for rural areas and 547.42/month for urban areas. Poverty in the state dropped from 51.7% in 1983 to 21.1% in 2001[59] For the period 2004–2005, the Trend in Incidence of Poverty in the state was 22.5% compared with the national figure of 27.5%. The World Bank is currently assisting the state in reducing poverty, High drop-out and low completion of secondary schools continue to hinder the quality of training in the population. Other problems include class, gender, inter-district and urban-rural disparities. Based on URP – Consumption for the period 2004–2005, percentage of the state's population Below Poverty Line was 27.5%. The Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative ranks Tamil Nadu to have a Multidimensional Poverty Index of 0.141, which is in the level of Ghana among the developing countries.[60] Corruption is a major problem in the state with Transparency International ranking it the second most corrupt among the states of India.[61]
The Dravidian movement, which championed the causes of educating Tamils and eradicating superstitions, began in Tamil Nadu. The movement was committed to social justice, which led to the expansion of reservations for the deprived communities. Tamil Nadu now has 69% reservation in educational institutions, the highest among all Indian states.[62]
The Midday Meal Scheme program in Tamil Nadu, initiated by Kamaraj, was expanded considerably during the rule of the AIADMK in 1983, although the state is among the 12 states in India that have an alarming level of hunger, according to the 2008 Global Hunger Index.[63][64]
Culture[link]
Tamil Nadu has a long tradition of venerable culture. Tamil Nadu is known for its rich tradition of literature, music and dance which continue to flourish today. Unique cultural features like Bharatanatyam (dance), Tanjore painting, and Tamil architecture were developed and continue to be practised in Tamil Nadu.
Language and literature[link]
Tamil is the only official language of Tamil Nadu. English is also in common usage as an official language of India. When India adopted national standards Tamil was the very first language to be recognised as a classical language of India.[65] The Tamil people regard their language a very important part of their cultural identity.
Most early Tamil literary works are in verse form, with prose not becoming more common until later periods. Throughout its history, Tamil literature has sought to inform and inspire, educate and entertain.
| கேடில் விழுச்செல்வம் கல்வி யொருவற்கு மாடல்ல மற்றை யவை-(திருக்குறள் – 400) |
| 'Learning is a wealth that none could destroy Nothing else gives genuine joy' |
Notable examples of Tamil poetry include the Tirukkural, written during the Tamil Sangams period. The poem encompasses a universal outlook, as the author, Tiruvalluvar, does not mention his religion, land, or the audience for his work. He is often portrayed as a holy saint of Tamil Nadu today. Ancient Tamil literature is predominantly secular and deals with everyday life in the Tamil Context.[66]
The first Tamil printing press was established at Tarangambadi by the Danish missionaries. During the Indian freedom struggle, many Tamil poets and writers sought to provoke national spirit, social equity and secularist thoughts among the common man, notably Subramanya Bharathy and Bharathidasan. Even today, Tamil Nadu is home to creative writers like Vairamuthu.
Languages of Tamil Nadu in 2001
Tamil (89.43%)
Telugu (5.65%)
Kannada (1.68%)
Urdu (1.51%)
Tamil is spoken by 89.43% of the population. Minority languages include Telugu (5.65%), Kannada (1.68%), Urdu (1.51%), Malayalam (0.89%), Gujarati / Saurashtri (0.32%), Hindi (0.30%) and Marathi (0.10%).[67]
Religions[link]
| Population by religion, 2001[68] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Religious group | Population (million) | % |
| Hindu | 55.0 | 88.1 |
| Christian | 3.79 | 6.1 |
| Muslim | 3.47 | 5.6 |
| Total [69] | 62.4 | 100 |
About 88% of the population identifies as Hindu and Tamil Nadu is the home of the core schools of medieval and modern Hinduism as well as several non-mainstream Hindu movements. These include Saiva Siddhanta, Ramanuja's Vishishtadvaita, Alvars' Sri Vaishnavism, and Nayanmars Saivisim. Several important Hindu Tamil figures became important figures for Hinduism as a whole (e.g.Ramanuja.) In modern times, well known figures for Hinduism in the state include Ramana Maharishi and the Kanchi Paramacharya. Murugan, Thirumal (Vishnu), Sivan, Sakthi in various forms and a large number of village deities are also worshiped by Hindus in Tamil Nadu.
Christians and Muslims together form over 11% of the population. Christians are mainly concentrated in the southern districts of Kanyakumari (44% of the population, 2001), Thoothukudi (17%, 2001) and Tirunelveli (11%,2001). St. Thomas Mount in Chennai, the place where St. Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus, was believed to have been martyred, is an important pilgrimage site for Indian Christians. The Santhome Basilica, widely believed by Christians in India to have been built atop the tomb of St. Thomas, and the Vailankanni Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health are churches revered by Christians in India. The Church of South India and the Pentecostal Mission Church are headquartered in Chennai.
Muslims are mainly concentrated in areas such as Adirampattinam, Kayalpatnam, Kilakarai, Pernambut, Ambur, Vaniyambadi, Madurai, Nagore, and Melapalayam, with the state capital Chennai also home to a number of Muslims. Among Muslims, 97.5% are Sunni and the rest are Shias. The Sunnis adhere to either Hanafi or Shafi schools of thought. Erwadi in Ramanathapuram district and Nagore in Nagapattinam district are important pilgrimage sites for Muslims. Kazimar Big Mosque in Kazimar Street, Madurai and Karpudaiyar masjid in Kayalpatnam are one of the earlier mosques in Tamil Nadu.
Samanars or Tamil Jains have a legacy dating back 250 BC. They made significant contributions to Tamil literature. According to the 2001 census there were 83,359 Jains in Tamil Nadu. There is a popular atheist movement in the 1940s as well.
Festivals[link]
File:Thungapuram Ayyannar Ther.jpg
Thungapuram Ayyanar car festival
Pongal, also called as Tamizhar Thirunaal (festival of Tamils) or Makara Sankranti elsewhere in India, a four-day harvest festival is one of the most widely celebrated festivals throughout Tamil Nadu. The Tamil language saying Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum — literally meaning, the birth of the month of Thai will pave way for new opportunities – is often quoted with reference to this festival. The first day, Bhogi Pongal, is celebrated by throwing away and destroying old clothes and materials by setting them on fire to mark the end of the old and emergence of the new. The second day, Surya Pongal, is the main day which falls on the first day of the tenth Tamil month Thai (14 January or 15 January in western calendar). The third day, Maattu Pongal, is meant to offer thanks to the cattle, as they provide milk and are used to plough the lands. Jallikattu, a bull taming contest, marks the main event of this day. During this final day, Kaanum Pongal – the word "kaanum", means 'to view' in Tamil. In 2011 the Madras High Court Bench ordered the cockfight at Santhapadi and Modakoor Melbegam villages permitted during the Pongal festival while disposing of a petition filed attempting to ban the cockfight.[70]
The first month in the Tamil calendar is Chitterai and the first day of this month in mid-April is celebrated as Tamil New Year. Thiruvalluvar Calendar is 31 years ahead of Gregorian Calendar, that is 2000 AD in Gregorian calendar is represented as 2031 in Thiruvalluvar Calendar. Aadi Perukku is celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month Aadi, which celebrates the rising of the water level in the river Cauvery. Apart from these major festivals, in every village and town of Tamil Nadu, the inhabitants celebrate festivals for the local gods once a year and the time varies from place to place. Most of these festivals are related to the goddess Maariyamman, the mother goddess of rain.
Other major Hindu festivals including Deepavali (Death of Narakasura), Ayudha Poojai, Saraswathi Poojai (Dasara), Krishna Jayanthi and Vinayaka Chathurthi are also celebrated. Ayya Vaikunda Avataram, is celebrated predominantly in the southern districts.[71] In addition, Christmas, Eid ul-Fitr, Easter and Bakrid are celebrated by Christians and Muslims in the state.
Music[link]
See also: Ancient Tamil music and Carnatic music
The Kings of ancient Thamizhagam created sangams for Iyal Isai Nadagam (Literature, Music and Drama). Music played a major role in sangams. Music in Tamil Nadu had different forms. In villages where farming was the primary occupation, women who worked in the fields used to sing kulavai songs. Odhuvars, Sthanikars or Kattalaiyars offer short musical programmes in the temples by singing the devotional Thevaram songs. In sharp contrast with the restrained and intellectual nature of Carnatic music, Tamil folk music tends to be much more exuberant. Popular forms of Tamil folk music include the Villuppāṭṭu, a form of music performed with a bow, and the Nāṭṭuppur̲appāṭṭu, ballads that convey folklore and folk history. Some of the leading Tamil folk artists in the early 21st century are Pushpuvanam Kuppuswamy, Dr. Vijayalakshmi Navaneethakrishnan, Chinnaponnu, Paravai muniammal etc.
Carnatic music is the classical music form of Southern India. This is one of the world's oldest & richest musical traditions.[72] The Trinity of Carnatic music Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri were from Tamil Nadu. Thyagarajar Aaradhanai (worship) takes place every year in the month of Marghazhi in Thiruvaiyaru all carnatic musicians render their obesiance to Saint Thyagarajar by singing his compositions.[73] The composers belonging to the Tamil Trinity, namely Muthu Thandavar (?1560 – ?1640), Arunachala Kavi (1712–1779) and Marimutthu Pillai (1717–1787) composed hundreds of devotional songs in Tamil and helped in the evolution of Carnatic music. Chennai hosts a large cultural event, the annual Madras Music Season during December–January, which includes performances by hundreds of artists all over the city.
In terms of modern cine-music, Ilaiyaraaja was a prominent composer of film music in Tamil cinema during the late 1970s and 1980s. His work highlighted Tamil folk lyricism and introduced broader Western musical sensibilities to the South Indian musical mainstream. Tamil Nadu is also the home of the double Oscar Winner A.R. Rahman[74][75][76] who has composed film music in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi films, English and Chinese films, was once referred to by Time magazine as "The Mozart of Madras".
Arts and dance[link]
Tamils have a large number of folk dances. These are performed for every possible occasion, to celebrate the arrival of seasons, birth of a child, weddings and festivals. Tamil dance is closely intertwined with the Tamil theatrical tradition. The most celebrated of these is karakattam. In its religious form, the dance is performed in front of an image of the goddess Mariamman. The dancer bears on his or her head a brass pot filled with uncooked rice, decorated with flowers and surrounded by a bamboo frame, and tumbles and leaps to the rhythm of a song without spilling a grain. Karakattam is usually performed to a special type of song known as temmanguppāṭṭu or thevar pāṭṭu, a folk song in the mode of a lover speaking to his beloved, to the accompaniment of a nadaswaram and melam. Other Tamil folk dances include mayilāṭṭam, where the dancers tie a string of peacock feathers around their waist; ōyilāttam, danced in a circle while waving small pieces of cloth of various colours; poikkal kuthiraiyaaṭṭam, where the dancers use dummy horses; manattam, where the dancers imitate the graceful leaping of deer; paraiyāṭṭam, a dance to the sound of rhythmical drumbeats, and thīppandāṭṭam, a dance involving playing with burning wooden torches.
Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form originating from Tamil Nadu. Prior to the colonial perriod, it used to be performed in Hindu temples by Devadasis. In this form, it as also been called sadir or chinna melam. Many of the ancient sculptures in Hindu temples are based on Bharata Natyam dance postures. Bharatanatyam is a traditional dance-form known for its grace, purity, tenderness, and sculpturesque poses. It continues to be a popular dance style at present times and is practised by male and female dancers all over India. Terukkuttu or Kattaikkuttu is a traditional form of Tamil street theatre folk dance/drama. Kalaripayattu or varmakalai is actually a martial art of tamil origin. During the pallava rule it flourished to the present day kerala.
Film industry[link]
Main article: Cinema of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is also home to the Tamil film industry. It is known for being the second largest film industry in terms of revenue and worldwide distribution, in India.[77][78] It is based at Kodambakkam in Chennai city.
Cuisine[link]
Main article: Tamil cuisine
Tamil cuisine is basically South Indian cuisine, where rice and rice-derived dishes form the major portion of a diet (see rice and curry). There are regional sub-varieties namely Chettinadu, Kongunadu, Madurai, Tirunelveli varieties etc. Traditionally, food is served on a banana leaf instead of a plate and eaten with the right hand. Rice is the staple food of Tamils and is typically eaten mixed with sambhar (with or without ghee), vegetarian or non-vegetarian kulambu, rasam, curd and buttermilk. This is accompanied with various vegetarian and/or non-vegetarian dishes like kootu, aviyal, poriyal, appalam, varuval, peratal, kothsu, varieties of pickles and chicken, mutton, or fish fry. Breakfast and snack items include dosai, Adai, idly, vadai, pongal, appam (aappam), paniyaram, puttu, uppumavu (uppuma), santhakai (a sort of noodles), idiyappam and uthappam. These items are eaten along with sambar, varieties of chatni and podi. Traditionally prepared filter coffee is unique in taste and popular all over the state. The Chettinad region is famous for its spicy non-vegetarian cuisine, while Ambur, Dindigal and Sankarankoil are known for their Biriyani. Sweet items that are native to Tamil Nadu and prepared at homes are Athirasam, Chakkarai Pongal (prepared during Pongal) and Kuli Paniyaram. Tirunelveli is known for its unique wheat Halwa and Palani is renowned for its Panchamirtham. North Indian, Western, Chinese and fast food culture are also popular in Tamil Nadu.
Economy[link]
Main articles: Economy of Tamil Nadu, List of conglomerates in Tamil Nadu, and List of rivers in Tamil Nadu
| Year | GSDP | Change | Share of India |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–95 |
68,666
|
 19.32% |
7.49% |
| 1996–97 |
89,237
|
29.96% |
 7.18% |
| 1998–99 |
118,209
|
32.47% |
7.40% |
| 2000–01 |
141,100
|
19.36% |
7.33% |
| 2002–03 |
155,099
|
09.92% |
6.85% |
| 2004–05 |
188,921
|
21.81% |
6.61% |
Tamil Nadu's gross state domestic product for 2011 is estimated at US$ 97.970 Billion in current prices.[80][81] The state experienced a GDP growth rate of 12.1% for 2007–08.[50] It was the third largest economy (2007–2008) among all states in India,[82] and also the most industrialised state in India.[83] It ranks third in foreign direct investment (FDI) approvals (cumulative 1991–2002) of 225,826 million ($5,000 million), next only to Maharashtra and Delhi constituting 9.12% of the total FDI in the country.[84] The per capita income in 2007–2008 for the state was 43,000 ranking second among the South Indian states and steadily been above the national average.[85]
According to the 2011 Census, Tamil Nadu has the highest level of urbanisation (49%) in India, accounting for 6% of India’s total population and 9.6% of the urban population.[86] and is the most urbanised state in India.[5] Services contributes to 45% of the economic activity in the state, followed by manufacturing at 34% and agriculture at 21%. Government is the major investor in the state with 51% of total investments, followed by private Indian investors at 29.9% and foreign private investors at 14.9%. Tamil Nadu has a network of about 113 industrial parks and estates offering developed plots with supporting infrastructure.[87]
According to the publications of the Tamil Nadu government the Gross State Domestic Product at Current Prices (Base year 1999–2000) for the year 2008–2009 is 339,212 crores. The percapita income at current price is 51, 097.
Agriculture[link]
Main articles: Agriculture in Tamil Nadu and Animal husbandry in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has historically been an agricultural state and is a leading producer of agricultural products in India. In 2008, Tamil Nadu was India's fifth biggest producer of Rice. The total cultivated area in the State was 5.60 million hectares in 2009–10.[88] The Cauvery delta region is known as the Rice Bowl of South India. In terms of production, Tamil Nadu accounts for 10% in fruits and 6% in vegetables, in India.[89] Annual food grains production in the year 2007–08 was 100.35 lakh mt.[88] Mango and banana are the leading fruit crops in Tamil Nadu accounting for over 87% of the total fruit production. The main vegetables grown are tapioca, tomato, onion, brinjal (eggplant), and drumstick. Tamil Nadu is also a leading state in the production of flowers with the total production of horticultural crops standing at 99.47 Lakhs during 2003–04. The main flowers grown in Tamil Nadu are jasmine, mullai, chrysanthemum, marigold and rose.
The state is the largest producer of bananas, flowers,[90] tapioca,[90] the second largest producer of mango,[90] natural rubber,[91] coconut,[92] groundnut and the third largest producer of coffee,[93] sapota,[90] Tea[94] and Sugarcane.[95] Tamil Nadu's sugarcane yield per hectare is the highest in India.[95] The state has 17,000 hectares of land under oil palm cultivation, the second highest in India.[96] Tamil Nadu is the home to Dr M.S. Swaminathan, known as the "father of the Green Revolution" in India.[97] Tamil Nadu Agricultural University with its seven colleges and thirty two research stations spread over the entire state contributes to evolving new crop varieties and technologies and disseminating through various extension agencies. Among states in India, Tamil Nadu is one of the leaders in livestock, poultry and fisheries production. Tamil Nadu had the second largest number of poultry amongst all the states and accounted for 17.7% of the total poultry population in India.[98] In 2003–2004, Tamil Nadu had produced 37,836 lakhs of eggs, which was the second highest in India representing 9.37% of the total egg production in the country.[99] With the third longest coastline in India, Tamil Nadu represented 27.54% of the total value of fish and fishery products exported by India in 2006.
Textiles[link]
Textile mills and engineering industries are present around the city of Coimbatore. It is home to textile, automotive spare parts and motor pump manufacturing units. Cities of Tirupur and Erode are the country's largest exporters of knitwear.[100] They are well known for textile manufacturing industries and exports to such extent that the districts of Coimbatore, Tirupur, Karur, Erode, Namakkal and Salem . The region around Coimbatore, Tirupur, Karur and Erode is referred to as the "Textile Valley of India" with the export from the Tirupur 50,000 million ($1,000 million) and Karur generates around 35,500 million ($750 million) an year in foreign exchange.. 56% of India's total knitwear exports come from Tirupur & Karur make above 60% of India's Home Textiles. Gobichettipalayam, Pollachi, Theni and Vedasandur are known for its cotton mills. Rajapalayam is famous for its cotton market. Kanchipuram and Arani are world famous for their pure zari silk sarees and handloom silk weaving industries. Aruppukottai, Salem, Sathiyamangalam are also famous for Art-Silk sarees. Andipatti, Tiruchengodu, Paramakudi, Kurinjipadi are major handloom centres. Negamam, Cinnalapatti, Woraiyur, Pochampalli are famous for its soft cotton saree weavings. Madurai is well known for its Chungidi cotton saree.
Automobiles[link]
Tamil Nadu has seen major investments in the automobile industry over many decades manufacturing cars, railway coaches, battle-tanks, tractors, motorcycles, automobile spare parts and accessories, tyres and heavy vehicles. Major global automobile companies including BMW, Ford, Renault-Nissan, Caterpillar, Hyundai, Mitsubishi Motors and Michelin as well as local automobile majors like Ashok Leyland, Hindustan Motors, TVS Motors, Irizar-TVS, Royal Enfield, MRF, Apollo Tyres, TAFE Tractors, DaimlerChrysler AG Company also invested () 4 billion for establishing new plant in Tamil Nadu[101] have manufacturing operations in Tamil Nadu. Karur is a hub for Bus body building industries. Namakkal is the major source of Heavy Vehicle and lorry body building.
Heavy industries[link]
Tamil Nadu is one of the highly industrialised states in India. Over 11.2% of the S&P CNX 500 conglomerates have corporate offices in Tamil Nadu. Many heavy engineering and manufacturing companies are located in and around the suburbs of Chennai. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, one of India's largest electrical equipment manufacturing company, has manufacturing plants at Tiruchirapalli and Ranipet. India's leading steel producer, SAIL has a steel plant in Salem. Sterlite Industries has their copper smelter plant in Tuticorin and aluminium plant in Mettur. The state government owns the Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Ltd. (TNPL),[102] the world's biggest bagasse based Paper mills in Karur, as well as the world's sixth largest manufacturer of watches together with TATA at Hosur, under the brand name of "Titan". Number of large Cement factories such as Chettinad cements, Ramco cements, Tancem, Dalmia cements, Vajram cements, ACC are present across the state. Ariyalur is termed as the land of cement industries in the state.
Others[link]
Namakkal is also one of the main source of Egg production in India. Karur is also the major manufacturer of Nylon nets (HDPE) Filaments over 65% of India. Sivakasi is a major centre of fireworks and safety match production and offset printing in India, over 60% of firework production is contributed from sivakasi.
Electronics and software[link]
Electronics manufacturing is a growing industry in Tamil Nadu, with many telecommunications giants like Nokia, Flextronics, Motorola, Sony-Ericsson, Foxconn, Samsung, Cisco, Moser Baer and Dell having chosen Chennai as their South Asian manufacturing hub. Products manufactured include circuit boards and cellular phone handsets.[103]
Tamil Nadu is the second largest software exporter by value in India, second only to Karnataka. Software exports from Tamil Nadu grew from 76 billion ($1.6 billion) in 2003–04 to 207 billion {$5 billion} by 2006–07 according to NASSCOM[104] and to 366 billion in 2008–09 which shows 29% growth in software exports according to STPI.[105] Major national and global IT Companies such as Syntel, Infosys, Wipro, HCL, Tata Consultancy Services, Mahindra Satyam, Verizon, Hewlett-Packard, Amazon.com, Paypal, IBM, Accenture, Ramco Systems, Computer Sciences Corporation, Cognizant Technology solutions, Tech Mahindra, Polaris, Aricent, MphasiS, MindTree, BBM info 24/7 Customers, and many others have offices in Tamil Nadu.
Leather industry[link]
The state accounts for 70 per cent of leather tanning capacity in India and 38 per cent of leather footwear and components. The exports from Tamil Nadu are valued at about US $ 762 million, which accounts for 42 per cent of Indian leather exports. Hundreds of leather and tannery industries are located around Vellore, Dindigul and Erode its nearby towns such as Ranipet, Ambur, Perundurai, Nilakottai and Vaniyambadi. The Vellore district is the top exporter of finished leather goods in the country. That leather accounts for more than 37% of the country's Export of Leather and Leather related products such as finished leathers, shoes, garments, gloves and so on. The tanning industry in India has a total installed capacity of 225 million pieces of hide and skins of which Tamil Nadu alone contributes to an inspiring 70%. Leather industry occupies a pride of place in the industrial map of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu enjoys a leading position with 40% share in India 's export. It currently employs about 2.5 million persons Leather exports by the end of the year 2000–2001 were Rs. 9000 crores.
Infrastructure[link]
Main articles: Transport in Tamil Nadu and Road network in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has a transportation system that connects all parts of the state. Tamil Nadu is served by an extensive road network, providing links between urban centres, agricultural market-places and rural areas. There are 28 national highways in the state, covering a total distance of 5,036 km (3,129 mi).[106] The state is also a terminus for the Golden Quadrilateral project. The state has a total road length of 167,000 km (103,769 mi), of which 60,628 km (37,672 mi) are maintained by Highways Department. This is nearly 2.5 times higher than the density of all-India road network.[107] The major road junctions are Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem, Karur, Krishnagiri, Dindigul, Kanniyakumari.
Tamil Nadu has a well-developed rail network as part of Southern Railway. Headquartered at Chennai, the Southern Railway network extends over a large area of India's Southern Peninsula, covering the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Pondicherry, a small portion of Karnataka and a small portion of Andhra Pradesh. Tamil Nadu has a total railway track length of 5,952 km (3,698 mi) and there are 532 railway stations in the state. The system connects it with most major cities in India. Main rail junctions in the state include Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem, Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) and Erode. Chennai has a well-established suburban railway network and is in the process of developing a metro.
Tamil Nadu has a major international airport, Chennai International Airport, that is connected with 19 countries with more than 169 direct flights every week. This is the third largest airport in India after Mumbai and Delhi and has a passenger growth of 18%. Other international airports present in the state are Coimbatore International Airport, and Tiruchirapalli International Airport. The Madurai Airport, Salem Airport and Tuticorin Airport are domestic airports which connect their respective cities to other parts of the country. Increased industrial activity has given rise to an increase in passenger traffic as well as freight movement which has been growing at over 18 per cent per year.
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Tamil Nadu has three major seaports at Chennai, Ennore and Tuticorin, as well as one intermediate port, at Nagapattinam (Seven other minor ports including Cuddalore and Nagapattinam).[88] Chennai Port is an artificial harbour situated on the Coromandel Coast in South-East India and it is the second principal port in the country for handling containers. Ennore Port handles all the coal and ore traffic in Tamil Nadu. The volume of cargo in the ports grew by 13 per cent during 2005.[108][109]
As of 2005, Tamil Nadu is one of the few Indian states with surplus Electricity generation capacity, enabling the electrical authority to sell it to neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka. The Kalpakkam Nuclear Power Plant, Ennore Thermal Plant, Neyveli Lignite Power Plant, many hydroelectric plants including Mettur and the Narimanam Natural Gas Plants are major sources of Tamil Nadu's electricity. It is presently adding the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant to its energy grid, which on completion would be the largest atomic power plant in the country, in terms of capacity.[110] The total installed capacity for electricity in the State is 8,249 MW. The installed capacity of State Sector is 5,288 MW, and that of Private Sector is 1,058 MW. Apart from this, 1,903 MW is available as share from Central Sector.[88]
Tamil Nadu is a significant proportion of its power needs from renewable sources with wind power installed capacity at over 3600 MW[111] or over 40% of the maximum peak demand. Tamil Nadu ranks first nationwide in diesel-based thermal electricity generation with a national market share of over 34%.[112] 55% of all wind-generated electricity in India is created by windmills in Tamil Nadu. Renowned Danish wind power company NEG Micon has established its manufacturing unit in Chennai.
Environment[link]
Main articles: Protected areas of Tamil Nadu and Wildlife of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu includes a wide range of Biomes, extending east from the South Western Ghats montane rain forests in the Western Ghats through the South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests and Deccan thorn scrub forests to tropical dry broadleaf forests and then to the beaches, estuaries, salt marshes, mangroves, and coral reefs of the Bay of Bengal.
The state has a range of flora and fauna with many species and habitats. To protect this diversity of wildlife there are Protected areas of Tamil Nadu, including two Biosphere Reserves, five National Parks and several Wildlife Sanctuaries.
There are about 2000 species of wildlife that are native to Tamil Nadu. Protected areas provide safe habitat for large mammals including elephants, tigers, leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, gaurs, lion-tailed macaques, Nilgiri Langurs, Nilgiri Tahrs, Grizzled Giant Squirrels and Sambar deer, resident and migratory birds such as cormorants, darters, herons, egrets, Open-billed storks, Spoonbills and White Ibises, Little Grebes, Indian Moorhen, Black-winged Stilts, a few migratory Ducks and occasionally Grey pelicans, marine species such as the Dugongs, turtles, dolphins and Balanoglossus and a wide variety of fish and insects.
Indian Angiosperm diversity comprises 17,672 species with Tamil Nadu leading all states in the country, with 5640 species accounting for 1/3 of the total flora of India.[113] This includes 1559 species of medicinal plants, 533 endemic species, 260 species of wild relatives of cultivated plants and 230 red-listed species. The Gymnosperm diversity of the country is 64 species of which Tamil Nadu has four indigenous species and about 60 introduced species. The Pteridophytes diversity of India includes 1022 species of which Tamil Nadu has about 184 species. Vast numbers of bryophytes, lichen, fungi, algae and bacteria are among the wild plant diversity of Tamil Nadu.[114]
Common plant species include the state tree: Palmyra Palm, Eucalyptus, Rubber, Cinchona, Clumping Bamboos (Bambusa Arundinacea), Common teak, Anogeissus latifolia, Indian Laurel, Grewia, and blooming trees like Indian labumusum, Ardisia, and Solanaceae. Rare and unique plant life includes Combretum ovalifolium, Ebony (Diospyros nilagrica), Habenaria rariflora (Orchid), Alsophila, Impatiens elegans, Ranunculus reniformis, and Royal fern.[115]
There are number of environmental organisations involved with environmental conservation and environmental education in Tamil Nadu. These organisations are notable for the diversity of their members and their intended impact groups, ranging from urban to rural, local to national, elementary students to government policy makers and rich to poor. The intent of these organisations is increased awareness of environmentalism by the state's population.[116]
The Ministry of Environment and Forests through its Department of Environment and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department is the primary Government organisation planning and implementing environmental policy in the state.[117] The Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology coordinates government scientific agencies and creates environmental awareness programs in the state, There are several prominent leaders worth public roles in these efforts. There are environmental NGOs working in the state who are characterised by funding from private sources, programs of environmental activism and a high degree of autonomy and volunteerism.
Sports[link]
See also: List of sportspeople from Tamil Nadu
Kabaddi, also known locally as Sadugudu, is the state game of Tamil Nadu. But the most popular game just like rest of India is Cricket. M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is an international cricketing arena with a capacity of 50,000 and houses the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.
The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) is the government body that is vested with the responsibility of developing sports and related infrastructure in the state.[118] The SDAT owns and operates world class stadiums and organises sporting events.[119] It also accommodates sporting events, both at domestic and international level, organised by other sports associations at its venues. It has national racing tracks like Irungattukottai Race Track in Sriperumpudur near Kanchipuram district, where national level Bike and Car races were conducted.[120] The YMCA College of Physical Education at Nandanam in Chennai was established in 1920 and was the first college for physical education in Asia.[121]
Cricket contests between local clubs, franchises and teams are also popular across the state. Chennai, the capital of state is also one of the ten Indian cities to be featured in the nation level Twenty-20 Cricket competition, the Indian Premier League. The team, owned by the cement manufacturers, India Cements, is called Chennai Super Kings.[122] The MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai is a much sought after fast bowling academy by pace bowlers all over the world. The state game of Kabaddi, and Silambam, are sports played in the rural areas.
The ATP Chennai Open tournament held in Chennai every January is the biggest Tennis event in South Asia.[123]
Tamil Nadu has a long standing motor sports culture. The sport was pioneered by Sundaram Karivardhan in its early days. Notable sports persons from Tamil Nadu in the field are Narain Karthikeyan, the first Indian to participate in F1 racing, and Karun Chandhok. Motor racing events are held at the Irungattukottai track (near Sriperumbudur), Sholavaram track and Kari Motorspeedway near Coimbatore.
The Tamil Nadu Hockey Association is the governing body of Hockey in the state. Vasudevan Baskaran was the captain of the Indian team that won gold medal in 1980 Olympics at Moscow. The Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai hosts international hockey events and is regarded by the International Hockey Federation as one of the best in the world for its infrastructure.[124] Chennai hosted the SAF Games in 1995. Anju Bobby George, a world renowned athlete, represents Tamil Nadu in the national arena.[125]
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai is a multi-purpose stadium hosting Football and Track & Field events. The Indian Triathlon Federation and the Volleyball Federation of India are headquartered in Chennai. Chennai hosted India’s first ever International Beach Volleyball Championship in 2008.[126]
World Chess champion and Indian Grand Master Viswanathan Anand and Arjuna Awardee and two-time world carrom champion Maria Irudayam hail from Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu boasts of total of 8 Grand Masters and numerous International Masters.[127] Snooker was invented by General Sir Frederick Roberts at the Ooty Club in Ooty, a hill station in the state.[128][129]
The SDAT – TNSRA Squash Academy in Chennai, one of the very few modern squash facilities in South Asia, hosts international squash events.
Tamil Nadu has six 18-hole Golf courses,[130] the most popular of which are Kodaikanal Golf Club, established in 1895, Ooty Golf Course, established in 1896, and Gymkhana Club, Chennai. The Madras Boat Club, set up in 1867, hosts regular rowing races on the Adyar River. The 232-year-old Guindy race course in Chennai is a horse racing venue. Adventure sports have gained popularity, especially amongst the tourists visiting the state.[131]
Tourism[link]
Main article: Tourism in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu's tourism industry is the second largest in India, with an annual growth rate of 16%. Tourism in Tamil Nadu is promoted by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), a Government of Tamil Nadu undertaking. The tagline adopted for promoting tourism in Tamil Nadu is Enchanting Tamil Nadu. Approximately 2,804,687 foreign and 111,637,104 domestic tourists visited the state in 2010.[132] Tamil Nadu is a land of varied beauty. It boasts some of the grandest Hindu temples of Dravidian architecture. These temples are of a distinct style renowned for their towering Gopurams. The Brihadishwara Temple in Thanjavur, built by the Cholas, the Airavateswara temple in Darasuram and the Shore Temple, along with the collection of other monuments in Mahabalipuram also called as Mamallapuram have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.[133][134] The Nellaiappar Temple situated in the heart of Tirunelveli city. Madurai is home to one of the grandest Hindu temples in the World — Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam is the largest functioning temple in the world, Tiruchirappalli where the famous Rockfort Temple is located, Rameshwaram whose temple walk-ways corridor (Praagarams) are the longest [1.2 km] of all Indian temples in the world, Kanchipuram and Palani are important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Other popular temples in Tamil Nadu include those in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Chidambaram, Thiruvannaamalai, Tiruttani, Kumbakonam, Karur, Bhavani, Srivilliputhur, Namakkal, Tiruchendur, Tiruvarur, Vellore, Coimbatore, Kanniyakumari.
Tamil Nadu is also home to beautiful hill stations. Popular among them are Udhagamandalam (Ooty), Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Coonoor, Topslip, Valparai, Yelagiri and Manjolai. The Nilgiri hills, Palani hills, Shevaroy hills, Kolli Hills and Cardamom hills are all abodes of thick forests and wildlife.
Mukurthi National Park & Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve are the two tiger reserves in the state. Tamil Nadu has many National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Elephant and Bird Sanctuaries, Reserved Forests, Zoos and Crocodile farms. Prominent among them are Mudumalai National Park, The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary and Arignar Anna Zoological Park. The mangrove forests at Pichavaram are also eco-tourism spots of importance.
Kanyakumari, the southern most tip of peninsular India, is famous for its beautiful sunrise, Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar's statue built off the coastline. Marina Beach in Chennai is one of the longest beaches in the world.[135] The stretch of beaches from Chennai to Mahabalipuram are home to many resorts, theme parks and eateries. The prominent waterfalls in the state are Courtallam, Hogenakal, Papanasam, Manimuthar, Thirparappu, Pykara and Silver Cascade. The Chettinad region of the state is renowned for its Palatial houses and cuisine. With medical care in Chennai, Vellore, Coimbatore and Madurai, Tamil Nadu has the largest numbers in Medical tourism in India.
See also[link]
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- ^ "Indian joy at Oscar night glory". BBC News. 23 February 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7905003.stm. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
- ^ "A R Rahman wins best original score Oscar". Economictimes. 23 February 2009. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Media--Entertainment-/Entertainment/A-R-Rahman-wins-best-original-score-Oscar/articleshow/4174015.cms. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
- ^ "Prime Focus expands India operations". Moneycontrol.com. http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/prime-focus-expands-india-operations-_275679.html. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
- ^ Sreedhar Pillai, TNN, 4 October 2010 TOI, Crucial time for Kollywood
- ^ "Gross Domestic Product of states as of 21 November 2006". Archived from the original on 27 November 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071127133251/http://www.tn.gov.in/dear/tab06/a16.pdf. [dead link]
- ^ "India's top 20 states by GDP. Rediff, Retrieved on October 06, 2011". Rediff.com. 22 July 2011. http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-indias-top-20-states-by-gdp/20110722.htm. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
- ^ "Official site". Government of Tamil nadu. Archived from the original on 15 May 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070515003439/http://www.tn.gov.in/budget/budsp07_08_4.htm#Overall%20Financial%20Position. Retrieved 23 March 2007.
- ^ "Fdi.Pdf" (PDF). http://www.cid.harvard.edu/archive/india/pdfs/fdi_tamilnadu_revised.pdf. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
- ^ Most Enterprises in India.
- ^ Tamil Nadu ranks third in FDI, favoured destination.
- ^ State-wise Per Capita Income At Current Prices.
- ^ "e-CENSUSIndia". CensusIndia.net. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tamil_Nadu&action=edit§ion=1. Retrieved 16 August 2006.
- ^ Example include Tidelpark and ITP Chennai.
- ^ a b c d "Tamil Nadu – States and Union Territories – Know India: National Portal of India". India.gov.in. 31 March 2009. http://www.tn.gov.in/deptst/agriculture.pdf. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
- ^ National Horticulture Mission – Action Plan for Tamil Nadu.
- ^ a b c d National Horticulture Mission Action Plan for Tamil Nadu.
- ^ "Rubber Statistical News" – Rubber Board.
- ^ Coconut statistical info from IndiaCommodity.com.
- ^ ": Coffee Board of India – Coffee Data:". Indiacoffee.org. 18 September 2009. http://indiacoffee.org/indiacoffee.php?page=CoffeeData#area. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
- ^ "Production Of Tea In India During And Upto August 2002 – TeaAuction.com.
- ^ a b Sugar statistical info from IndiaCommodity.com.
- ^ Oil Palm Sector in India – World Wildlife Fund – India.
- ^ M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.
- ^ [2] Livesotck & Poultry Statistics from Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying & Fisheries, Government of India.
- ^ "Estimates Of Egg Production".
- ^ The Challenge of Reform: How Tamil Nadu’s Textile and Apparel Industry is Facing the Pressures of LiberalizationPDF (471 KB) by Meenu Tewari for the Government of Tamil Nadu, India and the Center for International Development, Harvard University, Cambridge MA.
- ^ [3] Daimler Trucks Unveils Truck Test Track in Oragadam, PSA Peugeot Citroën Company also invested (Indian Rupee symbol.svg) 4 billion for establishing new plant in Tamil Nadu, India near Chennai, India.
- ^ TNPL.
- ^ Flextronics signs pact for Chennai facility.
- ^ The Hindu Business Line: TN software exports clock 32 pc growth.
- ^ "TN logs 29% growth in software exports in FY09". The Times Of India. http://infotech.indiatimes.com/news/software/TN-logs-29-growth-in-software-exports-in-FY09/articleshow/4754105.cms.
- ^ "National Highways in Tamil Nadu". Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Govt. of India. http://www.morth.nic.in/statedetailsmain.asp. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
- ^ Official site for Tamil Nadu Highways.
- ^ Official website for Ennore Port.
- ^ Official website for Tuticorin Port.
- ^ "NPCIL". NPCIL. http://www.npcil.nic.in/main/ProjectConstructionStatus.aspx. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
- ^ Policy Note 2008–2009 of Energy Department, Tamil Nadu, India by Govt. of Tamil Nadu.
- ^ "Central Electricity Authority, GOI" (PDF). http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/monthly/executive_rep/feb12/27-33.pdf. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
- ^ Environmental Information System Centre, Tamil Nadu[dead link]
- ^ "Biodiversity of Tamil Nadu". Environmental Information System (ENVIS). Chennai: Department of Environment, Govt. of Tamil Nadu &Ministry of Environment & Forests. 2006. http://tnenvis.nic.in/biodiversity.htm. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
- ^ Tamil Nadu Dept. of Forests, Retrieved 9 September 2007 Biodiversity.
- ^ Directory of Environmental Resource Persons in Tamil Nadu. Chennai: ENVIS & World Wide Fund for Nature – India/Tamil Nadu State Office. 2008, 2nd source. http://assets.wwfindia.org/downloads/directory_of_environmental_resource_persons_in_tamil_nadu.pdf.
- ^ "About the Ministry". Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF), Govt. of India. http://moef.nic.in/modules/about-the-ministry/introduction/. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
- ^ "Youth Welfare & Sports Development Department". Tn.gov.in. 15 October 1992. http://www.tn.gov.in/citizen/sdat.htm. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
- ^ Sports development authority of Tamil Nadu, Chennai 600 084.
- ^ "Madras Motor Sports Club Official site". http://www.madrasmotorsports.in/home.htm.
- ^ Y.M.C.A. College of Physical Education NANDANAM.
- ^ "Chennai Super Kings owners and main sponsors". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai_Super_Kings#Administration.
- ^ Nadal, other tennis greats arrive for Chennai Open 2008.
- ^ Radhakrishnan Stadium to have new turf.
- ^ Anju B George to be felicitated.
- ^ India seeks to popularise beach volleyball.
- ^ TN Chess Men's and Women's GM's & IM's.
- ^ The History Of Snooker.
- ^ THE ORIGIN OF SNOOKER: THE NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN STORY.
- ^ Golf Courses in Southern India.
- ^ Adventure Tourism.
- ^ "Tourism Statistics of India" (PDF). http://tourism.gov.in/writereaddata/CMSPagePicture/file/Primary%20Content/MR/pub-OR-statistics/2010Statistics.pdf. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
- ^ Great Living Chola Temples – UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
- ^ Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.
- ^ Marina Beach, Chennai – One of the Longest Beaches in the World.
- Chitra, Madhavan. "The artist who designed the State emblem", MADRAS MUSINGS, CHENNAI, 1–15 July 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2011.
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| Kamal Haasan | |
|---|---|
 Kamal Haasan at an event organised by FICCI |
|
| Born | Kamal Haasan (1954-11-07) 7 November 1954 (age 57)[1] Paramakudi, Madras State, India |
| Residence | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation | Film actor, producer, director, screenwriter, dialogues, playback singer, lyricist |
| Years active | 1959–present |
| Spouse | Vani Ganapathy (1978–1985—divorced) Sarika Thakur (1985–2004—divorced) |
| Children | Shruti Haasan (born 1986) Akshara Haasan (born 1991) |
| Awards | Padmashri, Kalaimamani |
Kamal Haasan (born 7 November 1954) is an Indian film actor, screenwriter, producer and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema.[2][3][4] He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting.[5][6][7] Kamal Haasan has won several Indian film awards, including four National Film Awards and numerous Filmfare Awards, and is known for having starred in the largest number of films submitted by India in contest for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.[8] In addition to acting, screenwriting and directing, he has also featured in films as a songwriter, playback singer and choreographer.[9] His film production company, Rajkamal International, has produced several of his films. In 1990, he was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian cinema.[10] Kamal Haasan is also a recipient of an Honorary doctorate by Sathyabama University.[11] In 2009, he became one of very few Indian actors to have completed 50 years in cinema.[12]
After several projects as a child artist, Kamal Haasan's breakthrough into lead acting came with his role in the 1975 drama Apoorva Raagangal, in which he played a rebellious youth in love with an older woman. He secured his second Indian National Film Award for his portrayal of a guileless school teacher who tends a child-like amnesiac in 1982's Moondram Pirai. He was particularly noted for his performance in Mani Ratnam's Godfatheresque Tamil film Nayagan (1987), which was ranked by Time magazine as one of the best films of all time.[13] Since then he has gone on to appear in other notable films such as Anbe Sivam and his own productions, Hey Ram and Virumaandi, as well as Dasavathaaram, in which he appeared in ten distinct roles.
Contents |
Career[link]
Debut as child artiste: 1959–1963[link]
Kamal Haasan's family shifted from Paramakudi to Chennai for his mother's medical treatment. He went to Holy Angels Convent school in T. Nagar. He was interested in girls even as a young child. [14] There are two versions regarding his entry into films. One version has it that, as a little boy, he accompanied a doctor who went to treat an ill woman at the home of movie mogul A V Meyyappa Chettiar (father of AVM Saravanan). On hearing loud shouting from a first-floor tenant of the bungalow, the doctor became uneasy. Young Kamal Haasan strode up the stairway to ask the noisemaker not to shout over the phone as someone was ill, leaving the person astonished. An impressed Meyyappa Chettiar later provided him an entry into films.[15] The other version is that when young boy Kamal Haasan accompanied a family doctor of Meyyappa Chettiar to his house, producer AVM Saravanan noticed Kamal as a hyperactive child. He took him over and introduced to AV Meyyappa Chettiar who was looking for a young boy to play a role in the movie Kalathur Kannamma.[16]
Kamal Haasan was five-years-old when he faced the camera for the first time in Kalathur Kannamma, which was directed by A. Bhimsingh. The film was released on August 12, 1960. The film starred veteran actor Gemini Ganesan and won the President's Gold Medal.[17] Following his successful debut, he starred in five more films as a child actor sharing screen space with Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran. Kamal Haasan's family was very supportive of his interest in the performing arts. He joined a theatre repertory, TKS Nataka Sabha, that was helmed by T.K.Shanmugam. He continued his school education at the Hindu High School in Triplicane. The time spent as part of the theatre company shaped Kamal Haasan's craft and was instrumental in his interest in make-up. [14][18]
Breakthrough and Experimentation: 1970–1975[link]
Following a seven-year hiatus from films, Haasan returned to the industry to be a part of the technical crew of films. However, he played a few supporting roles instead. As an adult, his first film role was in the 1970 film Maanavan, in which he appeared in a dance sequence. He also did a supporting role in the film Annai Velankani in which he was the assistant director. His role in K.Balachander's 1973 film Arangetram was the beginning of many noteworthy performances. He played the antagonist in Sollathaan Ninaikkiren and Gumasthavin Magal both co-starring Sivakumar. His first serious role was in K. Balachander's Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974). His last role as a supporting actor was in 1974, in the film Naan Avan Illai.
He debuted in the Malayalam film industry with the 1974 film Kanyakumari. He won his first regional Filmfare award for this film.[19] His first break as a lead actor in Tamil films came with Apoorva Raagangal, directed by K.Balachander, for which he also won his first Filmfare award in Tamil.[20] The plot of the film revolved around a young man in love with an older woman and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. Kamal Haasan learned to play the mridangam for this role. Another noteworthy fact is that this film introduced audiences to Rajnikanth, who played several supporting roles in films starring Kamal Haasan before becoming one of the most successful actors in the Tamil film industry.
Success in the south: 1976–1980[link]
The late 1970s was a period that saw Haasan's continued collaboration with K. Balachander, who cast him in many of his social-themed films. In 1976, Balachander cast him as a womaniser trying to woo many women in Manmadha Leelai which was followed by Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu, which won him his second consecutive Regional Filmfare (Tamil) Best Actor Award. Later, Kamal Haasan appeared in the drama Moondru Mudichu with Rajinikanth and Sridevi, another Balachander film. Avargal (1977) was one of the most sensitive movies on woman liberation, for which he learnt the art of ventriloquism.[21] The film was also remade in Telugu as Idi Katha Kaadu (1979) with Haasan repeating his role. 16 Vayathinile won him his third consecutive best actor award, where he appeared as a village bumpkin, along with Rajinikanth and Sridevi. In 1977, he starred in his first Kannada film, Kokila, which was the directorial debut of another friend and mentor, Balu Mahendra. The same year, he acted in a Bengali film, Kabita. In 1978, he debuted in the Telugu film industry as a lead actor with the cross-cultural romantic film, Maro Charithra directed by K. Balachander. The film was regarded a cult-classic and was also Haasan's first major hit. His fourth consecutive Filmfare award came with Sigappu Rojakkal, an anti-hero thriller in which he played a psychopathic sexual killer.
Few of the other famous films in this period were the Telugu film Sommokadidhi Sokkadidhi, where he played dual roles, the musical entertainer Ninaithale Inikkum, the snake horror film Neeya and Kalyanaraman.
At the end of this period, he had won six regional Best Actor Filmfare Awards, including four consecutive Best Tamil Actor Awards and became a famous actor in South India by having starred in all languages.
Bollywood foray: 1980s[link]
Kamal Haasan's pairing with the actress Sridevi continued with Tamil classic Varumayin Niram Sigappu in 1980, where he played an unemployed youth. Kamal Haasan also made a guest–cameo appearance in the Rajnikanth's Thillu Mullu. He made his Bollywood debut with Ek Duuje Ke Liye, the remake of his Telugu-language film, Maro Charithra, also by K. Balachander which earned him his first Filmfare nomination. He made his 100th film appearance in 1981 with Raja Paarvai, which also marked his debut in film production. Despite this film's relatively poor reception at the cinemas, his portrayal of a blind session violinist earned him a Filmfare Award.[22] Following a year of starring in commercially-oriented films, he won his first of three National Awards for Best Actor with his portrayal of a school teacher who looks after an amnesia patient in Balu Mahendra's Moondram Pirai, later reprising the role in the Hindi version, Sadma.[19] During this time he concentrated more in Bollywood acting in remakes of his Tamil films, most famously Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya and Zara Si Zindagi. In 1983, he appeared in Sagara Sangamam, directed by Kasinadhuni Viswanath. His portrayal as a drunkard classical dancer fetched him his first Nandi Award for Best Actor and second Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Award.
After the successful multi starrer Raaj Tilak in 1984, he acted in Saagar, released in 1985, for which he was awarded both the Filmfare Best Actor Award and was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Award at the same ceremony for this role. The film was India's representative for the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film in 1985.[19] Saagar portrayed him alongside Rishi Kapoor. The same year, he appeared in Geraftaar alongside Amitabh Bachchan. He featured in Tamil cinema's first sequel Japanil Kalyanaraman, which followed up his previous Kalyanaraman.
In 1986, he again collaborated with K. Vishwanath in Swathi Muthyam which portrayed him as an autistic person attempting to change society. The film was India's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards in 1986.[19] The enormous response to these films in Tollywood helped him capture a strong audience in Andhra Pradesh, and many of his later Tamil films were regularly dubbed in Telugu.[23]
Following Punnagai Mannan, in which he portrayed dual roles including a satire of Charlie Chaplin as Chaplin Chellappa and Vetri Vizha as an amnesiac, Kamal Haasan appeared in Mani Ratnam's 1987 film Nayagan. Nayagan portrays the life of an underworld don in Bombay. The story revolved around the life of a real-life underworld don called Varadarajan Mudaliar, while sympathetically depicting the struggle of South Indians living in Mumbai.[19] He received his second Indian National Award for his performance and Nayagan was nominated by India as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards in 1987. It was included in the Time's All-TIME 100 Movies list. In 1988, Kamal Haasan appeared in his only silent film to date, Pushpak, a black comedy.[19] In 1989, he appeared in three roles (one of which was that of a dwarf) in Apoorva Sagodharargal.[19] He then performed dual roles in Indrudu Chandrudu, winning the Filmfare Best Actor Award and Nandi Awards for his performance. In 1989, Kamal Haasan starred in his last original Malayalam film as hero to date, titled Chanakyan. The multi-starrer film was critically acclaimed and was a hit.[24]
The 1980s saw the transformation of Kamal Haasan from a young heartthrob performer in Tamil films to a nationally acclaimed star appreciated for his method acting. By the end of 1980s, he had entered and tasted success in the Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi film industries, had received Filmfare awards at each industry, three national awards and had his performances recognized at international film festivals.[23][25]
Tryst with comedy: 1990s[link]
In 1990, Michael Madhana Kamarajan saw Kamal Haasan go one step further from Apoorva Sagodharargal, acting in four different roles as quadruplets. It started an ongoing collaboration with Crazy Mohan, a dialogue writer, for future comedy films.[26] The film became a blockbuster, and his portrayals were all critically praised; one cook role where he spoke in Palakkad Tamil formed the crux for a future venture by his production house.[27] Kamal Haasan won successive Best Actor awards for his portrayal of the deranged, obsessive protagonist in Guna and Thevar Magan, where he played the son of actor Sivaji Ganesan. Guna met with critical acclaim but failed commercially, while the latter became a big success and was remade into Hindi as Virasat. Kamal Haasan was credited for the story and became India's submission for the Academy Awards that year. After a series of films such as Singaravelan, Maharasan and Kalaignan, he played a cheated villager in the emotionally draining and underrated classic Mahanadi. Six years after it released, it was premiered at the Rotterdam festival.[28] He then began to appear in comedies such as Sathi Leelavathi, based on the English film She-Devil. The film, his home production, featured him opposite comedienne Kovai Sarala and its success led to further regional remakes. He also renewed his collobaration with Kasinadhuni Viswanath in Telugu film, Subha Sankalpam. In 1995, Kamal Haasan starred in the police story Kuruthipunal. His success in Kuruthipunal was followed by his third National Film Award for Best Actor, for the film Indian.[29] Playing dual roles of a freedom fighter and his untrustful son, the film also won Kamal Haasan regional awards and plaudits for his portrayal.[30] Moreover, both films were also selected as India's submissions for the Academy Awards in their respective release years.
Kamal Haasan appeared as a woman in Avvai Shanmughi, inspired by the Hollywood production Mrs. Doubtfire.[31] He initially chose noted adfilm maker Shantanu Sheorey to direct the Hindi remake of Avvai Shanmughi, titled Chachi 420.[32] But unhappy with the complaints after five days of shoot and after checking the actual result, he took over as director.[33][34] In 1997, Kamal Haasan began his first directorial venture, the biopic of Mohammed Yusuf Khan, Marudhanayagam, which failed to complete its schedules with only half an hour and a trailer being recorded during its shoot.[35] Marudhanayagam had been speculated to be the biggest and most expensive film in Indian cinema with a number of high profile actors technicians signing up for roles. Moreover, the film was launched in a highly publicized ceremony by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom during her visit to India in 1997.[36] Due to budget constraints, the film failed to materialize into a feature film, but he has since stated his interest in building up funds for the project.[37]
[edit] Hey Ram and onwards: 2000–present
Following a two-year hiatus in Indian cinema, he opted against reviving his magnum opus, Marudhanayagam, and filmed his second directorial venture, Hey Ram,[38] a period drama told in flashback with a semi-fictional plot centering around India's Partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Kamal Haasan also took on roles as the writer, the lyricist and the choreographer as well as producing the film under his home banner. The film, also featured Shahrukh Khan and was India's submission for the Academy Awards that year.[39] His following film was Aalavandhan, where he portrayed two distinct roles, for one of which he had his head shaved bald and gained ten kilograms. To play the other army major in Alavandaan (Abhay, in Hindi), he went to the NDA for a crash course.[40] The Hindi version Abhay was distributed by reputed Shringar Films.[41][42] Despite much publicity prior to release, the film failed commercially, and he opted to repay distributors who had suffered losses with the film.[43]
Following a series of successful comedies[44] in Thenali, Panchathantiram and Pammal K. Sambandam and a couple of guest appearances, Kamal Haasan directed his third feature film in Virumaandi, a film about the death penalty which won the Best Asian Film award at Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.[45] Kamal Haasan also appeared in Anbe Sivam alongside Madhavan. Priyadarshan, who started the film, departed allowing commercial director Sundar C to complete the film. Anbe Sivam told the story of Nallasivam, enacted by Kamal Haasan as a communist. Kamal Haasan's performance was highly lauded by critics with The Hindu stating that he "has once again done Tamil cinema proud".[46]
Kamal Haasan then appeared in the remake film Vasool Raja alongside Sneha. In 2006, Haasan's long delayed project, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu emerged as a blockbuster.[47] In 2008, he appeared in Dasavathaaram portraying ten distinct roles in the venture which was released in multiple languages including Tamil, Telugu, Hindi throughout India and overseas. Dasavathaaram is known to be one of the first modern sci-fi films made in India which Kamal Haasan co-wrote along with the film's director K. S. Ravikumar, it also remains one of the most expensive Indian films ever made.[48] Featuring him opposite Asin Thottumkal, the film as of 2008 became the first highest grossing film ever in Tamil cinema, and won him critical praise for his performance.[49] In Canada, the film was distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, the first Tamil film to be done so. The film ultimately grossed more than 250 crores worldwide.[49][50] He had written the story and screenplay for the project.
Following the completion of Dasavathaaram, Kamal Haasan opted to direct his fourth directorial venture, with a film tentatively titled Marmayogi, which after a year of pre-production became stalled.[51] He then opted to produce and star in a venture, Unnaipol Oruvan,[52] [53] co-starring him with Mohanlal. The film, which had Shruti Haasan appear as the music director, became a successful venture for him at the box office.[54] Kamal Haasan worked on his fifth collaboration with Ravikumar, in Manmadan Ambu, for which he also wrote the dialogues and screenplay. The film also featured Madhavan and Trisha Krishnan and was released in December 2010. The story revolves around a man who hires a detective to find out if he is being cheated by his fiancée. This film completed one month successfully but was officially declared an average film. He is currently working on his fourth directorial venture Vishwaroopam ,[55][56][57][58] a spy thriller on the lines of the Mission Impossible series, which will be released in two parts.[59][60][61]
Off-screen contributions[link]
In addition to acting, Kamal Haasan has also played various roles behind the camera and is known for his involvement in several aspects of film-making.[14][33] He wrote the story and/or screen-play for many of his films including Raja Paarvai, Apoorva Sagodharargal, Guna, Thevar Magan, Mahanadhi, Hey Ram, Aalavandhan, Anbe Sivam, Nala Damayanthi, Virumaandi, Dasavathaaram and Manmadhan Ambu. His film production company, Rajkamal International, has produced several of his films. He also directed the films Chachi 420, Hey Ram and Virumaandi. He considered taking up film direction full time, if Hey Ram was a success, but did not do so as the film was a box office failure.[62] In 2010, he stated his intention to direct more films as many young actors had wished to work under him and gain his direct guidance.[63] He wanted to turn a technician after his comeback into adult roles. Speaking about it in a lighter vein, he once said, "Film makers like K. Balachander told me that I won’t be able make much money by being a technician. So the end result is that the star Kamal funds the technician Kamal in pursuing his dreams".[64] Kamal has attended workshops for make-up techniques in US for several years and once trained as a make-up man under Michael Westmore.[65]
Kamal Haasan is also well known as a song-writer. He first penned lyrics for Hey Ram and followed it with films like Virumaandi, Unnai Pol Oruvan and Manmadhan Ambu. They were well received by his peers in the Tamil film industry.[66] Kamal Haasan is also a playback singer. He has sung close to 70 songs in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and English.
Personal life[link]
Family[link]
Kamal Haasan was born in the town of Paramakudi in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, to a criminal lawyer named D. Srinivasan and his wife Rajalakshmi.[67] One source says that his parents originally named him Parthasarathy.[68] Another says that one of the four given names in his house was Parthasarathy (As revealed to Surya Sivakumar in the Shruti Haasan episode of Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi). He is an Iyengar Brahmin.[69] Kamal Haasan was the youngest of four children, the others being Charuhasan, Chandrahasan and Nalini Raghu. His father was a martinet. He wanted all his sons (Chandrahasan, Charuhasan, Kamalahaasan) to study and do well. The two elder brothers followed their father’s example and studied law. Kamal spent his childhood learning everything except staying focussed on his studies.
Kamal Haasan had referred to his parents in couple of his films, with references being made in Unnaipol Oruvan as well as in the song Kallai Mattum from Dasavathaaram.[70] His eldest brother Charuhasan, like Kamal Haasan, is a National Film Award-winning actor, who appeared in the Kannada film Tabarana Kathe, among others. Kamal's niece (Charuhasan's daughter), Suhasini is also a National Film Award winner and is married to director and fellow Award winner Mani Ratnam, who collaborated with Kamal Haasan on 1987's Nayagan.[71] Chandra Haasan has appeared as the producer for several of Kamal Haasan's films as well as being an executive of Kamal Haasan's home production company, Rajkamal International. His brother's daughter Anu Hasan has appeared in several films in supporting roles, most notably in Suhasini's Indira.[72] His sister Nalini Raghu is a dance teacher. Kamal Haasan later named an auditorium after his sister as Nalini Mahal.[73] Her son, Gautham, played Kamal Haasan's grandson in his directorial venture, Hey Ram.
Relationships[link]
Despite his celebrated film career, his personal life had some setbacks which have been exploited by the media. In his early career, he co-starred in several films with actress Srividya. The pair were reported to have been a part of a notorious affair in the 1970s, with their relationship being explored in the 2008-released Malayalam film, Thirakkatha by Renjith, with Anoop Menon portraying Kamal Haasan and Priyamani playing Srividya. Srividya, who died in 2006, was visited by Kamal Haasan at her bedside during her final days.[74] In 1978, at the age of 24, Kamal Haasan married danseuse Vani Ganapathy in a low-key affair.[75] Vani put on the mantle of costume designer for her husband's movies and was publicized for walking along with Haasan into the Filmfare Awards South ceremony of 1980 immediately after their wedding. However, the couple split after ten years together, after Kamal Haasan began dating fellow actress Sarika, confirming in a later interview that he and Vani have never been in touch since their divorce. Kamal Haasan is a good friend of Rajinikanth and Vijayakanth.[76]
Subsequently, Kamal Haasan and Sarika lived together from 1988, opting to marry only after having their second child. Of the two children: Shruti Haasan (born 1986) and Akshara Haasan (born 1991), the former is a singer as well as a Tollywood / Kollywood actress, while the latter is pursuing higher studies in Bangalore. Sarika took a break from acting soon after her marriage to Kamal Haasan. However, she replaced his ex-wife, Vani Ganapathy, as Haasan's costume designer, with acclaimed work in Hey Ram. The couple filed for divorce in 2002, with Sarika estranging herself from Kamal Haasan by the end of the procedure in 2004.[77] His intimate relationship with co-star Simran Bagga, who is twenty-two years younger, became the reason for the split.[78] However, Haasan's relationship with Simran, who appeared opposite him in two consecutive ventures – Pammal K. Sambandam and Panchathantiram, was short-lived as Simran went on to marry her childhood friend in late 2003.[78] Haasan now lives with former actress Gouthami Tadimalla, who starred with him in several films in the late 80s and early 90s. He had helped her during her traumatic breast cancer experience and the pair have been in a domestic relationship since 2005. Along with Shruti and Akshara, Gouthami's daughter, Subbalakshmi, from an annulled marriage also lives with them.[79]
Religious views[link]
Kamal Haasan, despite being born into a Hindu Brahmin family, has declared himself as an atheist; many of his films, notably Anbe Sivam and Dasavathaaram, both co-written by himself have featured anti-theistic views.[80] Kamal Haasan, has also been mistaken for a Muslim due to the Arabic surname, and was famously stopped for his name at Toronto Pearson International Airport in 2002.[81] The name originated from a friend of his father, Yaakob Hassan, a Muslim freedom fighter who spent time in prison with Kamal Haasan's father while imprisoned by the British. Yaakob Hassan had protected Srinivasan from other prisoners who hated the Brahmins. Later, he paid tribute to his friend by incorporating part of his name into his sons’ names.[82] Kamal Haasan clarified in an interview with Karan Thapar in BBC that his last name 'Haasan' is, in fact, of Sanskrit origin from the word 'Hasya', which was his father's wish and thinks the Yaakob Hassan connection was highly publicized by media.[82]
Political views[link]
Kamal Hassan has refrained from politics inspite of several people from the film Industry taking the plunge in Politics. He once said, the kind of politics he would indulge would get him killed in 365 days.[83]
Humanitarian work[link]
Kamal Haasan is the first Tamil actor to convert fan clubs into welfare organisation,[84] and is actively involved in several social service activities through the clubs under the banner Kamal Narpani Iyakkam. (Kamal Welfare Association)[85][86] His fan clubs are involved in organising blood and eye donation drives and donating education materials to school students.[87][88][89] He received the first Abraham Kovoor National Award for his Humanist Activities and Secular Life in 2004.[10] He has turned his fan associations into social service organisations. He was also the project ambassador of Hridayaragam 2010, a fundraiser to set up an orphanage for HIV/AIDS-affected children.[90] In September 2010, Kamal Haasan launched a children’s cancer relief fund and presented roses to children with cancer at Sri Ramachandra University in Porur in the suburbs of Chennai.[91] He has also pledged to endorse consumer products, social causes and use the money for social service.[92][93]
Literary contributions[link]
Kamal Haasan was involved in running the magazine Mayyam, which was run by the Kamal Haasan Welfare Association (Narpani Iyakkam). His views on a wide range of issues including cinema, child and drug abuse and the Kashmir conflict, have been collected and published as a book titled Thedi Theerpom Va (Come, Let's Solve Together), by his fan association.[94] His interest in Tamil literature and his own writing skills are well known.[95]
Awards and honours[link]
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan, a Padma Shri holder, is the most decorated actor in terms of awards in the history of Indian cinema.[10] At the age of seven, he won the President's Gold Medal for his debut film Kalathur Kannamma.[96] Haasan holds the record for the most number of National Film Awards—three Best Actor awards and one award for producing the Best Regional Film—for an actor. The 1992 Tamil film Thevar Magan which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil was produced by Kamal Haasan. Moreover, Haasan holds a record nineteen Filmfare Awards, ranging across five languages. After his latest award in 2000, he wrote to the organization requesting exemption from further awards.[10] In 2003, his films Hey Ram, Pushpak, Nayagan and Kuruthipunal were showcased under the "Director in Focus" category at the Rotterdam Film Festival.[97] In 2004, Virumaandi won the very first "Best Asian film" award at Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan).[45][97]
In 2005, Sathyabama Deemed University awarded Kamal Haasan an honorary doctorate.[98] He received the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema at the 2006 ceremony of the inaugural Vijay Awards.[99] He received the Living Legend Award in 2007 from FICCI, which recognizes outstanding personalities from the entertainment arena and honors them with awards at their annual global convention, FRAMES.[100] In 2010, the United Progressive Alliance government organised a retrospective of Kamal Haasan's films. During that event, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said the actor fell under a special category, as his cinema broke barriers of language and region.[101] The same year, the Government of Kerala honoured him for completing 50 years in Indian cinema during the inauguration of statewide Onam celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram.[102]
Kamal Haasan is also a recipient of the Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1979. Other recognitions includes a string of Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, Nandi Awards, Screen Awards and Vijay Awards, including four separate awards for his performance in Dasavathaaram. In 2009, Kamal Haasan was appointed as the chairman of FICCI Media and Entertainment Business Conclave, organised by the entertainment division of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).[103] He has recently been roped in to be part of academic advisory council for ISFM (International school of Film+Media).[104] Kamal Hassan was also recently invited on board an American ship as a special friend of the US Government.[105]
Acclaim and criticism[link]
Kamal Haasan, widely respected and admired in the Indian film industry, is often praised as someone who would have won many Oscars, if he had been born outside India. His mentor K. Balachandar, while agreeing with such sentiment, says in that case Kamal would not have been able to have a diverse acting career and the adulation he has now.[106][107] Mani Ratnam, who directed Kamal in Nayagan, has claimed he has missed working with Kamal.[108] Veteran Tamil actor Nagesh rated Kamal Haasan as the best actor he had seen.[109] Kamal Haasan's contributions to films have been lavishly praised by his peers in the Indian film industry like Sridevi[110], Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachan and Aamir Khan.[111][111][112] Younger actors Surya,[113][114] Madhavan,[115] and Ace film makers Bala,[116] Ameer[117] and Gautham Menon[118][119] consider Kamal Haasan as their inspiration. His list of admirers go beyond cinema. M. F. Husain has claimed, he found Kamal Haasan as the most exciting Indian film-maker/actor.[120]
Kamal Haasan has been accused of reusing story lines, plot elements from Western films without crediting them and also for using sexually explicit scenes and themes. He has also been accused of elitism, of offending religious sentiments and of being superficial about the social issues he depicts in his films.[121][122][123] He has also been dubbed as an actor who consciously overshadows his co-artists.[115][124] Other criticisms of Kamal Haasan include complaints about his obsession with needless perfection, which has caused some of his films to overshoot their budgets.[125][126]
Notable filmography[link]
Further information: Kamal Haasan filmography
References[link]
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- ^ "Kamal pledges support". behindwoods.com. 2010. http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/nov-10-05/kamal-haasan-30-11-10-02.html. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
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- ^ "Directorate of Film Festival". Iffi.nic.in. http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm40thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=40NFA.pdf. Retrieved 2011-05-17.
- ^ a b "Director in Focus". The Hindu. 2001. http://hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/07/30/stories/2004073001610100.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ^ "Dr Kamal Haasan!". Rediff News. 2005. http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/jan/24spice.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
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- ^ "Kerala honours Kamal Haasan". The Hindu News. 22 August 2010. http://www.thehindu.com/arts/article588181.ece. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ "Kamal Haasan appointed as chairman FICCI Media and Entertainment Business Conclave". The Indian Film Industry Official. 2009. http://www.businessofcinema.com/news.php?newsid=14712. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
- ^ "Kamal Hassan and Anushka Shetty join ISFM as academic advisors". The Indian Film Industry Official. 2011. http://www.businessofcinema.com/news.php?newsid=19205. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
- ^ "Kamal Haasan in mid-ocean when earthquake stuck". The Times of India. 2012. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-16/news-interviews/31349356_1_tsunami-earthquake-ship. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
- ^ "K Balachander praises Kamal Haasan!". The Times of India. 2009. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/K-Balachander-praises-Kamal-Hassan/articleshow/6474377.cms. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ^ Divya Kumar (1 September 2010). "His Master's voice". The Hindu. http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article607103.ece. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
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- ^ Behind that humorous veneer, The Hindu, 27 July 2007.
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- ^ Shiva Kumar (2006). "Aamir on Kamal". The Hindu. http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2006/08/25/stories/2006082502240100.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-21. [dead link]
- ^ "Surya on Kamal". www.southdreamz.com. 2009. http://www.southdreamz.com/2009/08/kamal-hassan-comments-on-suryas-speech.html.
- ^ "Kamal's advise to Surya". www.southdreamz.com. 2010. http://www.southdreamz.com/2010/03/kamal-haasans-advise-to-suriya.html.
- ^ a b Subhash K Jha (2003). "Maddy on Kamal". Rediff.com. http://in.rediff.com/movies/2003/jan/09kamal.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ^ Bala says Anbe Sivam inspired him, Bala says Anbe Sivam inspired him, 1 June 2010.
- ^ "Second Innings". Ergo. 2009. http://www.goergo.in/?p=3910.
- ^ "Surya most versatile after Kamal - Gautham Menon". Ergo. 2009. http://www.goergo.in/?p=3120. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
- ^ Shiva Kumar (2006). "Gautham on Kamal". www.southdreamz.com. http://www.southdreamz.com/2010/08/ajith-kumar-snubs-gautham-menon.html#ixzz1BnNniR4L. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ^ "Kamal Haasan, most exciting Indian Film-maker/Actor – MF Hussain". ScreenIndia. 1997. http://www.screenindia.com/old/dec19/cover.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ^ "Kamal Haasan's Dasavatharam faces ire of Hindu outfits". CNN-IBN. 6 May 2008. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kamal-hassans-dasavatharam-faces-ire-of-hindu-outfits/64674-8.html. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- ^ "கமலுக்கு இந்து மக்கள் கட்சி நோட்டீஸ்". Dina Malar. 10 December 2010. http://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/2978/cinema/Kollywood/.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- ^ Kamala Haasan – Nigazha Marutha Arputham (The Miracle that never happenned) by Charu Nivedita, India Today, Jan 2009
- ^ Vickey Lalwani (2005). "'Am I the punching bag of this nation?' – Kamal Haasan". bollyvista.com. http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/34/4671/1/. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
- ^ Prem Panicker (2003). "The result was a nightmare... – Prem Panicker". Rediff.com. http://in.rediff.com/movies/2003/nov/08kamal5.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ^ "As star power wanes...". The Hindu. 8 November 2002. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/11/08/stories/2002110801030300.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
External links[link]
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Haasan, kamal |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | |
| Date of birth | 1954-11-07 |
| Place of birth | Paramakudi, Madras State, India |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
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