TAMIL NADU
INTRODUCTION
Dance forms of Tamil Nadu
Bagavatha Nadanam
This dance is performed inside a temple, around a lamp. The purpose is to worship Lord Krishna, and celebrate his frolics with the gopikas.
Bommalattam or Puppet Show
Puppet shows are held in every village during festivals and fairs. Many different kinds of puppets are used for this show - cloth, wood, leather, etc.
Bharathanatyam
Bharathanatyam is a classical Indian dance that originated in Tamil Nadu, with roots in more ancient dance forms
Chakkai Attam
Teak woodenpieces size of 7 X 3/4 inch are held between the fingers which make the noise. Eight to ten dancers stand in a circle or parallel lines.
Devaraattam
Devarattam[3] is a pure folk dance still preserved by the descendents of Veerapandiya Kattabomman dynasty at Kodangipatti of Madurai District.
Kavadi Aattam
The ancient Tamils when they went on pilgrimage, carried the offerings to the gods tied on the either end of the long stick, which was balanced on the shoulder
Climate of Tamil Nadu
The Climate of Tamil Nadu, India is generally humid subtropical climate and features fairly hot temperature over the year except during the monsoon season.
Summer
The hot weather sets in and lasts until the middle of June. The highest temperature is often registered in May which is the hottest month in the state. The hot winds of plains blow during April and May with an average velocity of 8–16 km/hour. This hot winds greatly affects human comfort during this season.
Winter
The cold weather commences early in November and comes to an end in the middle of March.The climate in the cold weather is pleasant. The days are bright and warm and the sun is not too hot.
As soon as the sun sets the temperature falls and the heat of the day yields place to a sharp bracing cold.
Monsoon
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.
FESTIVALS OF TAMIL NADU
Pongal
This is the most important of all festivals to the people of Tamil Nadu. It is often called as "Tamilar Thirunal" or the Prosperity Day of the Tamils. It comes in the middle of January. It celebrates the arrival of fresh harvest and everyone appears in new garments with a beaming smile greeting each other on this day. New earthen pot is put on a hearth in a central place in an open corridor and newly harvested rice and milk are cooked. As the milk boils over, people shout in chorus "Pongalo Pongal! Pongalo Pongal!!” Pongal literally means boiling. The preceding day of Pongal is called 'Bhogi'. It means Bogam or enjoyment and was originally devoted to Indra who is the Bogi or supreme enjoyer. Nowadays, old unwanted things are heaped on the middle of the road and a bonfire is made. Children beat hand drums and go round the roads beating the drums and shouting 'Bhogi Bhogi!’.
Dance Festival - Mamallapuram
This festival conducted by the Department of Tourism is generally held at Mamallapuram where monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallava kings are built on the shore. The dances are held on an open-air stage near these sculptures. A spectacular dance festival in a beautiful surrounding that brings everlasting joy to the onlookers. Bharatha Natyam - the classical dance of Tamil Nadu, Kuchipudi - similar dance of Andhra Pradesh, Kathakali of Kerala and Odissi the dance of Orissa are performed by renowned artists. Folk dances also form part of the festivals. Mamallapuram is just 58 km. south of Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu.
Summer Festival
The summer festival is celebrated in hill stations like Ooty, Kodaikanal, and Yercaud etc. It 15 mainly a tourist festival. It is called 'Kodai Vizha'. Boat races, flower and fruit shows, are arranged. Cultural programmes are conducted. Trekking in hill stations are also done - a unique thrilling experience. There are competitions of flower arrangements, Rangoli and vegetable and fruit carving - an enticing feast to the eyes.
Navarathri
Festival of nine nights: ‘ Navam ’ means nine and 'rathri' means night. It is the festival of Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. The first 3 days are devoted to Durga or Parvathi, the goddess of valour. The next 3 days are devoted to Lakshmi or goddess of wealth and the last 3 days are devoted to Saraswathi, the goddess of learning. On the ninth day, a pooja for Saraswathi is performed in a traditional way by piling up books in an orderly way. This day is called ' Ayudha Pooja ' on this day all the machines, tools, instruments and vehicles are cleaned and arranged in order and worshipped. The vehicles are adorned with flowers and plantain saplings. This festival is also known as Dussehra. It is also called Durga Pooja. The next day is called ' Vijayadasami ' or the day of victory.
FOOD PREPARATIONS OF TAMIL NADU