கிராமிய அறிவு மரபுகள் மற்றும் நிலையான வாழ்க்கைமுறை: Rural Knowledge Traditions and Sustainable Lifestyle

திரு. பி. கார்த்திகேயன்; திருமதி ப. தனலட்சுமி; முனைவர் ஞா.செல்வகணபதி

doi:10.63300/tm12022026.12

Authors

Karthikeyan P Assistant Professor in Tamil, Department of Science and Humanities, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology, Pachapalayam, Perur- Chettipalayam, Coimbatore-10. Author
Dhanakshmi P Assistant Professor in Tamil, Department of Science and Humanities, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology, Pachapalayam, Perur- Chettipalayam, Coimbatore-10. Author
Dr G.Selvaganapathy Associate Professor in Tamil, World Languages Department, SIMATS - SSE, Thandalam, Chennai. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63300/tm12022026.12

Keywords:

Indian Knowledge System, Rural Knowledge, Sustainable Lifestyle, Traditional Agriculture, Tamil Culture

Abstract

The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) is a vast repository of wisdom that has guided human life in harmony with nature for centuries. Particularly in Tamil rural societies, traditional knowledge systems—passed down through generations orally and through practice—have played a vital role in nurturing the relationship between humans and nature. These knowledge systems serve as the foundation for a sustainable lifestyle across various domains such as agriculture, water management, healthcare, dietary habits, environmental conservation, and social cohesion.

Traditional agricultural practices prevalent in rural Tamil Nadu, rainwater harvesting structures, local herbal medicine, and seasonal dietary habits are considered key elements of sustainability in modern times. For instance, traditional methods that preserve the diversity of rice varieties, organic manuring techniques that protect soil fertility, and natural pest control methods ensure food security without relying on chemical inputs. Traditional water management systems, such as ponds, wells, and oorunis (communal water bodies), ensure water availability even during droughts, thereby maintaining ecological balance. Furthermore, social structures in rural communities, such as cooperation, sharing practices, and the panchayat (local governance) system, provide the essential social capital required for sustainable living.

As the contemporary world faces diverse challenges like climate change, depletion of natural resources, food insecurity, and environmental degradation, these traditional knowledge systems are being re-evaluated. By integrating this traditional wisdom with modern scientific approaches, effective solutions for sustainable development can be identified. Rural knowledge systems, an essential component of the Indian Knowledge System, pave the way for a lifestyle that is in harmony with nature, rooted in social justice, and conducive for future generations. This paper analyzes the nature of Tamil rural knowledge systems and their contribution to a sustainable lifestyle through the lens of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS).

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Author Biographies

Karthikeyan P, Assistant Professor in Tamil, Department of Science and Humanities, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology, Pachapalayam, Perur- Chettipalayam, Coimbatore-10.

திரு. பி. கார்த்திகேயன், உதவிப் பேராசிரியர்- தமிழ், அறிவியல் மற்றும் மனிதநேயத் துறை, சிறீ ராமகிருஷ்ணா தொழில்நுட்பக் கல்லூரி, பச்சாபாளையம், பேரூர்- செட்டிப்பாளையம், கோயம்புத்தூர் -10.

Karthikeyan P^*, Assistant Professor in Tamil, Department of Science and Humanities, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology, Pachapalayam, Perur- Chettipalayam, Coimbatore-10.

*Corresponding Author Email: karthikeyan.sh@sritcbe.ac.in.
Dhanakshmi P, Assistant Professor in Tamil, Department of Science and Humanities, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology, Pachapalayam, Perur- Chettipalayam, Coimbatore-10.

திருமதி ப. தனலட்சுமி, உதவிப் பேராசிரியர்- தமிழ், அறிவியல் மற்றும் மனிதநேயத் துறை, சிறீ ராமகிருஷ்ணா தொழில்நுட்பக் கல்லூரி, பச்சாபாளையம், பேரூர்- செட்டிப்பாளையம், கோயம்புத்தூர் -10.

Dhanakshmi P, Assistant Professor in Tamil, Department of Science and Humanities, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology, Pachapalayam, Perur- Chettipalayam, Coimbatore-10.

Email: dhanakshmip.sh@sritcbe.ac.in,
Dr G.Selvaganapathy, Associate Professor in Tamil, World Languages Department, SIMATS - SSE, Thandalam, Chennai.

முனைவர் ஞா.செல்வகணபதி, இணைப் பேராசிரியர் (தமிழ்), உலக மொழிகள் துறை, சவீதா பல்கலைக்கழகம், தண்டலம், சென்னை.

Dr G.Selvaganapathy, Associate Professor in Tamil, World Languages Department, SIMATS - SSE, Thandalam, Chennai.

Email: padmagana8384@gmail.com,

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