அறியப்படாத தமிழகத்தின் வழி தென் தமிழக மக்களின் வாழ்வியல்

Abstract

The Tamil way of life encompasses various elements such as language, cuisine, beliefs, culture, and tradition. While these elements have been practiced across generations, they have also undergone various changes in keeping with the passage of time. The book Ariyappadaatha Tamilagam (The Unknown Tamil Nadu) by Tho. Paramasivam stands as a significant work that records the lifestyle elements of the people of southern Tamil Nadu—particularly their cuisine—with both simplicity and depth. Using this book as a primary source, this article examines the dignity of the Tamil language, Tamil dietary practices, and food-related beliefs. To highlight the antiquity and excellence of Tamil, the study points to place names derived from the language and names found in inscriptions. Furthermore, it explains the dietary habits of ancient Tamils, food products associated with specific geographical landscapes, the barter system, and foreign trade. The study also explores food-related beliefs rooted in factors such as time, days of the week, seasons, rituals, travel, and festivals. Additionally, the article highlights the transformations that have occurred in Tamil food culture over time. This research reveals that language, cuisine, and beliefs have served as vital cultural markers in the lives of the people of southern Tamil Nadu.