Tamil Nadu Culture

As important as the religion is to the people of Tamil Nadu, culture and entertainment rank as equally important. Temples and festivals are interrelated. They are not just religious occasions but also cultural and commercial landmarks. They are family reunions and they are part of the lives of the people. All Hindu festivals are occasions of great feasting, dance, music, and love. One of the most well known fairs in Tamil Nadu is the Pollachi fair, which takes place on Thursdays. On these days, the fair is practically bursting at the seams. The Pollachi fair is the place to go for items from theAnnamalai hills, Palghat area and the Pollachi valley. The merchandise sold includes clothing, coconuts, nuts oil, fruits, vegetables, hides and skins and poultry. You can also purchase elephants as well as timber, both which come from the well known forests in the area.
Dancing is very popular, both at home and at festivals. Bharatha Natyam is a form of classical dance that is sometimes so vibrant and energetic that only the youth can do it justice. It is more than just a dance; it is a form of expression, rhythm, and musical being. It is meant to be poetry in motion. People flock from all parts of the world to learn this unique and religious dance. Another folk dance done in Tamil Nadu on a regular basis at festivals is the Kollatam, a charming dance performed by groups and the girls of the family. Because dance is so important here, there is a festival devoted solely to dancing. The Dance Festival starts on December 25th every year and goes on every weekend until the first week of February. People can sit before an open-air ’stage’ created 13 centuries ago on the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram.

Culture and Entertainment in Tamil Nadu, India
Another main source of entertainment in Tamil Nadu is the cinema. Most movies are musicals of course because in Tamil Nadu, their love for music is completely a part of their heritage. The Tamil Cinema is often called Kollywood, named because of the love of Hollywood and also for Kodambakkam, a highly developed area of Chennai. Kodambakkam is the equivelant of Los Angeles, where most of the movies are produced, and where all the aspiring actors live and work.

Tamil cinema is the second biggest movie industry in India after Bollywood. It grosses hundreds of millions of dollars a year. New movies are released from Kollywood at the rate of three a week. It is not uncommon for movies to have words or phrases in English included. Movies are often made in two or three languages, either in a whole new release or with subtitles. It has been noted that some Tamil Nadu stars are equal to Brad Pitt of the United States in popularity, but when they finish their acting career they are encouraged to go into politics. Many of the politicians in Tamil Nadu are former actors and people love them for that reason. Actors in Tamil Nadu are often idolized.