Preamble

A world renowned Czech Tamil Scholar Dr. KamilZvelebil remarks that there is no doubt that the culture of the Tamils belongs to the great and immortal treasures of the world civilization.The very ancient Tamil civilization and culture, which is very much an offshoot and an integral part of Indian Culture, has perceived the "World as One" and the "Humanity as One". A Tamil Poet – Philosopher of the Sangam Age Kaniyan Poongundranar has sung about the oneness of humanity. "ahJk; CNuahtUk; NfsPh;" which rendered into English means "All the World is One, All Men are Kin". This famous Tamil saying adorns the precincts of the United Nations Organization in USA. The glory of Classical Tamil Tradition like the great Classical SanskritTradition has a remarkable history thattranscends millennia. The divinity of Tamil language like the divinity of all classical languages has been adored by the Tamil denizens living not only in India, but in different parts of the world. Tamilsvenerate their language as a goddess – incarnate and it is interesting to note that a humble temple has been constructed at Karaikudi, the abode ofa temple of learningAlagappa University. It may be mentioned here that KaniyanPoongundranar hailed from this part of the country.

It is highly fitting that Alagappa University has started a "Centre for Tamil Culture" during the academic year 2015-16, with the objective of nurturing, preserving and propagating the rich Tamil tradition and culture. The Centre will also highlight the unique features of this ancient civilization and guide students to understand the nuances of Tamil culture; and it will make known to the outside world the great principles with which the ancient Tamils led a life of glory.

The ancient Sangam Literature and Folklore researches speak of Tamil Culture in terms of land, society, rituals and religious customs, deities, arts, festivals and traditions.

It clearly demarcates the borders of the old Tamil country. Vadavengadam (present Tirumala Hills) constituted the northern end and Kanyakumari constituted the southern end.

It has classified the geographical territory of the ancient Tamil country into five categoriesbased on the special features of the land. The hilly region was called Kurinji. Mullai denoted the forest area. Marutham indicated the plains, while Neithal stood for the coastal area and Palai indicated the uncultivable area.

It was broadly divided into northern part, southern part, central part, hilly region and coastal area.

The Anthropological Survey of India conducted a study titled "People of India". It obtained the basic facts on 364 communities of the Tamil people inhabiting the State. It refers to the 7 zones -- 1) Nanjilnadu comprises the present Kanyakumari District and refers to the coastal life of the people 2) Pandianadu comprises the present Tirunelveli, Sivakasi, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul and Tuticorin districts 3) Chozhanadu comprises the present Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, Nagapattinam and southern parts of South Arcot districts 4) Cheranaducomprises the Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts 5) Kongunadu comprises Salem and Erode districts 6) Chettinadu comprisesPudukkottai and parts of Sivagangai districts.Karaikudi is considered the prime place of this region7) Thondaimandalamcomprises the northern part of Tamilnaduincluding Chennai, Dharmapuri, North Arcot, Tiruvannamalai and Chingleput districts.

Main Objectives of the Centre

• Research will be conducted to find out the impact of Tamil Language, Tamil Culture and Tradition on the Non-Tamil speaking people of other Indian States.
• Besides Tamil Nadu, the Tamils inhabit in a number of countries in the world and studies will be undertaken to probe the contribution of Tamil Culture to the world. Also, studies will be made to find out the influence of Tamil Culture and Tradition on the tradition and culture of the countries of their settlement.
• A Museum to highlight the intrinsic qualities and growth of Tamil life over the millennia will be set up. It will portray the growth of this great tradition.
• It is proposed to collect data on the people of Tamil origin spread over the world and their contribution to human culture.
• It will also portray aspects such as their profession, their involvement in trade and commerce, religious practices, rituals practiced right from birth to death, their food habits, family functions, sartorial features, ornaments worn by them, household utensils used by them, their use of traditional medicines and also about their migrations.
• Rareartefacts of antiquity andarticles pertaining to the Tamil life, tradition and culture will be collected, exhibited and conserved at the Museum for the benefit of posterity.
• Many Workshops and Training Programmes to teach studentsabout the uniqueness of Tamil art, culture and tradition will be organized periodically. Seminars and Conferences will also be conducted to dwell on the greatness of Tamil Culture.
• It is proposed to publish a Research Journal too.
• The spiritual and ethical aspects of life propagated by the great Tamils Savants and Bards through their songs and other literary creations as part of the Bhakthi Movements will be translated into other languages so as to spread the ideals of universal peace and harmony in this strife-torn world.

In short, the Centre for Tamil Culture will act as a store-house proclaiming the antiquity and the significance of Tamil culture and civilization.

In the Centre for Tamil Culture both full time and part time Ph.D, are Programmes conducted

Eligibility for the Ph.D.

• Master's degree with 55% in Tamil.
• (i) Should have passed UGC-NET
  (ii) Should have passed SLET
  (iii) Should have passed pre-Registration Qualifying Entrance Exam for Ph.D. Conducted by Alagappa University.
• Those who aspire to do the Part time course should have two years of teaching experience and also be In service.

Contact Address

Dr. S. SenthamizhPavai
Professor & Director,
Centre for Tamil Culture,
Alagappa University,
Karaikudi -3.
Mail: pavaisenthamizh17@gmail.com
Mobile: +91 9486550725