The Tamil arts are an essential component of the Tamil culture. Tamils play antique instruments that have origins dating back thousands of years including the thannumey (mirudhangam, a drumlike instrument), flute, veena, melam and nahasuram (instruments played at the temple and auspicious events such as weddings) and parai and udukku (drumlike instruments). Bharathanayam, the Tamil classical dance, is considered sacred, as it has been thought to be passed down to humans from god himself. It is an art that is performed by both males and females, and was once most prominent at temples. One of the greatest Tamil epics, Silapathikaram, gives a detailed explanation about bharathanatyam, thoroughly explaining the art of dance and what it
should be accompanied with.
– CTYA Arts and Culture Council
