CULTURAL ASPECTS OF THANJAVUR - A STUDY

European Summit on Interdisciplinary Research and Development - An International Research Conference Published By Crystal Pen Publication, Perambalur, Tamil Nadu, India - www.crystalpen.in ESIRD - 2025 Proceedings, Date: November 30, 2025, ISBN Number: 978-93-49435-80-3 83 CULTURAL ASPECTS OF THANJAVUR - A STUDY S. Prabakaran Assistant Professor & Head, PG & Research Department of History, A.V.V.M. Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India Cite This Article: S. Prabakaran. (November 2025). Cultural Aspects of Thanjavur - A Study. In Proceedings of the European Summit on Interdisciplinary Research and Development (pp. 83-86). Perambalur, Tamil Nadu, India: Crystal Pen Publication. ISBN: 978-93-49435-80-3 Publisher Website: www.crystalpen.in Copy Right: © 2025 Crystal Pen Publication (CPP). All rights reserved. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. DOI: Abstract: Culture is the systems of knowledge. Culture is the sum total of ways of living by a group of human beings that is transmitted from one generation to another. Tamil culture is the culture of the Tamil people. Thanjavur, one of the 38districts in Tamilnadu in South India, commonly known as the rice bowl of the south. The district is situated in the south east coast of Tamilnadu state. This paper details how Thanjavur is serving as an epitome for Tamil culture. Key Words: Rice Bowl, Culture, Bharathanatyam, Veenai, Thavil, Folk Music Introduction: Culture is the systems of knowledge. Culture is the sum total of ways of living by a group of human beings that is transmitted from one generation to another. Tamil culture is the culture of the Tamil people. Tamil culture is rooted in the arts and crafts of the life of Tamils in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore and across the globe. Tamil culture is expressed in language, literature, cultural activities and also in the very way of life. This paper details how Thanjavur is serving as an epitome for Tamil culture. House of Thanjavur: The town of Thanjavur seldom possess remains of defensive walls. In the delta the wet fields tend to prevent the expansion of villages, but on the whole, they are open and commodious. The houses are generally built of brick or mud, as stone is unobtainable in most parts. The rafters are generally made of bamboos. Straw or palm leaves is Perhaps the most common thatch. In front of the house there is almost always a raised mud pail with a pillow of clay running along the wall. The door is on one side of the street front that leads into an entrance hall (reli) beyond which and against the side wall of the house, is a small courtyard (Muttam) that is an attrium around it. Facing the courtyard, and reaching across to the other side wall is a roofed open hall (Kudam), the floor of which is rather highest than that of the verandah. Food: Tamil cuisine is basically South Indian cuisine, where rice and rice-derived dishes are major portion of a diet. It is one of the oldest vegetarian culinary heritages. The cuisine typically served on a banana leaf which is called “Thanjavur Thalai - Vazhalai Ilai” with about two to six accompanying items include sambar, dry curry, rasam, kootu, and thayir (Curd) or moru (whey or butter milk). Breakfast items include the ideal “malligaipoo Idli” dosaipongal, vadai, appam, paniyaram, puttu, uppuma, Idiyappam. Thanjavur is well known for world famous Thiruvaiyaru Andavar Asoka Halwa. Coconut oil is most commonly used oil for cooking. Most of the people in Thanjavur are vegetarian, some of them are also non-vegetarian,” Kumbakonam Degree Coffee” of Thanjavur is well renowned for its taste. Dress: The people of Thanjavur wear the cotton foundation with a larger or smaller admixture of silk. Muhammadian wears tartans (Kailis). Rich people wear silk dress, normal people wear cotton dresses. Kumbakonam, Ayyampettai, Kuttalam, Koranadu, Mannargudi are the important textile industrial places in Thanjavur. Classical Music: The Carnatic music flourished in Thanjavur during the reign of Cholas. Thiruvaiyaru is the centre of Carnatic music. Legend Saint Thiyagaraja of Carnatic Music has his roots here. The annual „Thiyagaraja Aradhanai„- A musical tribute to Shri Thiyagaraja by thousands of Carnatic music exponents during the months of December-January is a treat to watch. It provides a great opportunity for Tourism too. Musical Instruments: The musical instruments of Thanjavur town bear a wide and high reputation. There are only few persons employed in the manufacture of musical instruments. They are exported to many places of the world. People come from long distances to buy them. The instruments made include the Tambura, Mritangam and the Saranaa, and the material used for making is jack wood. European Summit on Interdisciplinary Research and Development - An International Research Conference Published By Crystal Pen Publication, Perambalur, Tamil Nadu, India - www.crystalpen.in ESIRD - 2025 Proceedings, Date: November 30, 2025, ISBN Number: 978-93-49435-80-3 84 Tavil: It is the main percussion instrument for the Nadaswaram. It is the double headed barrel shaped drum from South India which is hollowed out of a solid block of wood. It is used in temple, folk and Carnatic music. The Thavil and Nadaswaram are essential components of festivals and ceremonies in South India. It is famous at Thanjavur so it is called at Thanjavur Thavil, there are 50 women who are engaged in Thavil making at Thiruvaiyaru, East Chatram Complex, Swami Sannadhi Street, Thiyagarajar Colony and Thirumanjana Street. Thiruvaiyaru is also known for Carnatic music. Musician all over from India come to buy the Thavil and also repairing their Thavil. Veenai: Veenai a stringed instrument on a wooden base is played with great perfection by the highly talented artists of Thanjavur. Bharathanatiyam - Classical Dance: Bharathanatiyam is a classical dance of Tamilnadu. It is practiced in the Siva temples of Tamilnadu. For many centuries many families in the district of Thanjavur performed Bharathanatyam. It is patronized by the kings of Thanjavur. Folk Music: There are three modes of entertainment classified as Iyal (literature), Isai (Music) and Nadagam (Drama). They originate from the rural folk theatre like Therukoothu. Ancient kings were appreciating these three modes of entertainment and it was one of the important aspects of their social life. The popular form of rural folk music includes the Villupattu, a form of music performed with bow, and the Naatuprapaattu, ballads that convey folklore and folk history.  Villupattu  Naatupurapaattu  Ballads Villupattu: In this programme, the main singer accompanied by a chorus, musical instruments like villow (or) Bow, fixed with bells relates a tale, interspersed with songs. Naattupurapattu & Ballads: These are songs sung by the village women during the time of ploughing, harvesting time. These are songs sung by the village women during the time of ploughing, harvesting time. Folk Songs: Simplicity and sweetness are the characteristics of folk songs. The age of the folk songs is unknown, many songs are born at the time of hard work in the fields and when engaged in different trades. Some songs are born at domestic rituals, temple festivals, praising the village deities for special favours, many ballads are also born out of the stories about great heroes. Folksong is the clear mirror chosen by Nature to see her own face. Some of the important folk songs sung by the village people are:  Lullaby Songs  Funeral Songs  Trade Songs Folk Dance: Thanjavur is deeply rooted in a great tradition of folk arts and crafts. The folk dances and music of Tamil people represent the ethos, aesthetic values and melody of the region. Traditional folk dances and music are conducted and during festivals and community functions. The most notable folk Dances in Thanjavur are:  Karakattam  Kavadi Attam  Poikkal Kudirai Aattam (Dummy Horse Dance)  Bommalaltam (Puppet show)  Kummi  Therukoothu  Kolattam  Silambattam  Thappattam  Urummi Attam  Kali Attam  Bagavatha Nadanam Karakattam: It is a folk dance with musical accompaniment which involves a pot on the head. The pots are decorated with a lone of flower arrangements, topped by a paper parrot. This dance is very popular all over Tamilnadu though its birth place is Thanjavur. The villagers in praise of the rain goddess Mari Amman and river goddess, European Summit on Interdisciplinary Research and Development - An International Research Conference Published By Crystal Pen Publication, Perambalur, Tamil Nadu, India - www.crystalpen.in ESIRD - 2025 Proceedings, Date: November 30, 2025, ISBN Number: 978-93-49435-80-3 85 Gangai Amman performed this dance with water pots balanced on their heads. In Sangam literature Silappathikaram mentioned this dance as Kudakoothu. Karagam is of two kinds:  Shakthi Karagam (Religious)  Aatta Karagam (Professional) In the Shakthi Karagam the pot is filled with sacred water and decorated with margosa leaves, flowers, sandal paste, lime etc. and is balanced on the dancer‟s head. This ritualistic dance gets performed in the worship of the Mariamman, Gangaiamman or Kaveriamman, the Goddess for water and agricultural prosperity. This is performed only in temples. Aatta Karagam: This is danced elegantly on commercial lines and purely for entertainment purposes. It is performed with rhythm of the musical accompaniments such as Naiyyaandi Melam, Paampadi, Urumi, Thavil, Naadaswaram and Thamukku. The artists from Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Tiruneveli, Pattukkottai and Salem perform this dance is an excellent manner. Kavadi Attam: It is a folk dance performed by the devotees of Lord Muruga. This dance gets performed in the Murugan temple during festive occasions such as Skanda Sashti, Thaipoosam, Karthigai, Vaikaasi Vishaakham, etc., Poikkal Kudhirai Attam (Dummy Horse Dance): In this dance, the dancer puts on the dummy figure of a horse‟s body on his\her hips. This dummy horse made up of light - weighted materials and the cloth at the sides swings to and wooden legs, so that the legs look like the hooves of the horse. This folk - dance need much more training and skill. This dace accompanied with Naiyyandi Melam or Band music.4 Dummy horse dance is connected to the worship of Ayyanar, mainly around Thanjavur villages. The other dances are:  Boomalattam or puppetry  Kummi  TheruKoothu  Kolaattam  Silambattam  Thappattam  UrummiAattam  Kaali Aattam  Bagavatha Nadanam Art & Crafts of Thanjavur: Silk Weaving: Weavers of Thanjavur know the art of creating patterns in gold thread let into the weft background, the brightness of the metallic thread being toned down by warning and selective over-dyeing for a shaded effect. Thanjavur remains the main center for rich zari brocades. The exclusive wedding saris of the Maratha princesses, a cotton weave decorated with a combination of woven patterns wax resist painting and gold zari in the village of karuppoor near Kumbakonam. The weaving of pure silk is only carried in Thanjavur and Kumbakonbam, Thirubhuvanam near Kumbakonam is important silk weaving place in this district Thirubuvonam is the next place for silk after Kancheepuram. The fine example of Thanjavur silk work is to be seen in the madras museum. The silk weavers are the Guajarati caste of patnulkarans (Silk-thread men). Sarees are the chief product and enriched with glit lace imported from France Thanjavur Paintings: The Marathas of Thanjavur influenced ornate style of Thanjavur paintings is from Thanjavur school, characterized by stylized, low-relief in a special plaster for architectural features and ornaments in paintings, modelling of shapes through shaded contours, use of primary colours, picking out of relief features in gold leaf features and embellishment with precious stones. Colours are traditionally prepared in accordance with ancient prescription from minerals, leaves and flowers and dispersed with fine squirrel –hair brushes. The figures in Thanjavur paintings are static. The figures are housed in the centers of the board, inside beautifully decorated arches or curtains, eyes are broad like almonds the outer lines are brown or red and the body is painted with white shading of Krishna. This art originated in Thanjavur the capital city of chola dynasty, other dynasties in India. Maratha, Nayaks of Vijayanagar, Rajus communities of Thanjavur and Trichy, Naidus of Madurai all picked up and help to spread the art from 16th to 18th centuries. The paintings originally catered to the opulent and princely lifestyles of Indian kings and were also a part of temple in India. They are correctly used for religious and decorative purposes. European Summit on Interdisciplinary Research and Development - An International Research Conference Published By Crystal Pen Publication, Perambalur, Tamil Nadu, India - www.crystalpen.in ESIRD - 2025 Proceedings, Date: November 30, 2025, ISBN Number: 978-93-49435-80-3 86 Chola Fresco Paintings: The paintings were discovered in 1931 by Mr. S. K. Govindasamy in the corridor of the Brahadeeswara Temple. The passage of the corridor is dark and the enthusiast finds the walks on either side covered with two layers of paintings from floor to ceiling. The Nayaks were painted over the chola paintings. The chola fresco paintings expressed on ardent spirit of Saivism. Toys - Head - Nodding Dolls: The famous oscillating dancing doll of Thanjavur deserves special mention in the cultural heritage of Tamilnadu. Pith toys are made in Kumbakonam. Head-nodding dolls are manufactured in Punnainallur village near Thanjavur. There are only 2 families that are traditionally manufacturing these dolls. Dolls are sent to all states of India and foreign countries. The Sangeetha Mahal Art Gallery purchases the dolls from village artisans. Bronzes - Chola and Others: The techniques of metal casting reached its zenith under the great chola kings. The best casting is from Swamimalai near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District. Thanjavur is known for its bronze and other metal carvings even today a remnant of the legacy that was left behind by great dynasty of South India. „Tanjore swami work‟ consists of small figures of silver and copper, usually representing the various Hindu gods, appliqué on brass or copper plates, bowls, cups, boxes, etc., Cholas period bronzes were created in using the lost wax technique. The artistic term it is called as „Cire Perdure‟. The forms of Cholas bromes are devoid of intricate ornaments and designs. The most important bronze icons are that of Nataraja. The symbolism presents Siva as lord of the cosmic dance of creation and destruction. Mats of Korai: The places best known for grass mats are Shyali and Ayyampettai and the neighboring village of Sakkarapalli. Muhammadians are mostly employed in larger centers. Vessels: Vessels of brass, copper, lead and bell-metal are made for domestic use and are largely exported. Kumbakonam and Nachiyarkovil are the important centers for making bellmetalkujas and lamp stands. Prahan Natyanjali Festival: This festival is organized by the Prahan Natyanjali foundation. This festival held in the month of May at Brahadeeswara temple, one week. The state department of tourism sponsored some amount for this festival. International tourists are attending this festival. Bharathanatyam and other classical dances of India are performed in front of the Nandhi, Big temple complex. Sathaya Festival: It is the birthday celebration of the great Chola king Raja Raja. This festival is organized by the district administration of Thanjavur the Tourism department open a two-day temporary tourism information center at Big Temple. Conclusion: Thanjavur, one of the 38 districts in Tamilnadu in South India, commonly known as the rice bowl of the south. The district is situated in the south east coast of Tamilnadu state. Tamil culture is the culture of the Tamil people. 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