11 std Ethics அறவியலும்இந்தியப் பண்பாடும் volume 1 Translation of 5th lesson திருவிழாக்கள் full

  5th lesson திருவிழாக்கள் 

 

Festivals are symbol of society’s collaboration and prosperity. 

Tamil people celebrate many festivals and these festivals 

promote the cultural tradition and landmarks.

There are so many reason for celebrating festivals. But the 

main one is to have harmony. The festivals are divided into 

nature based, religion based and race based festivals.

People celebrated festival during climatic seasonal change. 

This is called nature based festival. Based on one ethnicity’s 

culture festivals are celebrated. Those are race based festivals 

and according to the rituals and method of worshipping of a 

religion, if the festival is celebrated it is called religious 

festival. Even though daily rituals are followed in temples 

once or more than once in a year or special festivals are 

celebrated in temples. Those are called thiruvizha. And this is 

common to all people. So it promotes harmony and integrity.

Thiruvizha exhibits the culture, tradition and civilization of 

the people. Even those who are in outstations or in another 

countries return to their native place to celebrate festivals 

together.

Ainthinai vizhakkal ( Festivals of 5 thinais)

Introduction is same as in the previous lessons. Refer that.

Kuriji nila vizha

Mountains and its adjoining lands are called Kurinji nilam. 

God of kurinji nilam is seyon, also called as murugan, and 

velan. Velan veriyattu vizha was celebrated in this land 

according to Thirumurugatruppadai, Kurinjipattu, 

aingurunuru, pattinappalai. This festival was started to do  

consecration ( நேர்த்திக்கடன்) to cure their women’s 

disease. During the festival the under king or head of the land 

wears garlands and acts as though he is possessed by god 

Murugan. The paripadal tells that, place where it is celebrated 

is called veriyadukalam The flag cock-flag is hoisted, smoke 

containing good fragrance will be raised. And Kundrak 

kuravaikuthu, which is a dance by kurinji land people is also 

performed while beating thondagapparai.

Mullai nila vizha

Forest and its adjoining lands are called Mullai land. Mayon is 

their god. Their main occupation is raising the cattle. 

According to Agananuru (309) Mullai land people worshipped 

Neem tree as god mother. The possession/property of this 

land is cattle and it is protected by karuppasamy, a village 

deity from hunters and it also shows the correct path to cattle. 

He is blck in colour and protects the jungle, so he is called as 

karuppasamy. He is also called as Mayon. The people 

worshipped and Mayon to safeguard the people and their 

cattle. And celebrated festival during the worship by way of 

dancing and singing kuraivai koothu. This worship is called  

aichi kuravai.

Maruda Nila vizha

Indra Vizha is the biggest festival celebrated in Maruda land. 

People worshipped God Indra to safeguard them from hunger, 

disease and enemy. This was also called as Shanthi Peruvizha 

nd Teevaga shanthi. In the Indravizha uredutha kadhai in  

Silappathikaram and Vizhavarai kadai in Manimekalai have 

mentions about this festival. It was celebrated for 28 days. 

Astrologers, religious people, scholars, five member team, and 

8 member teams will decide about the date for the festival.

The news of the Indra vizha was declared while beating drums 

accompanied by 4 four defence forces. People kept kalsh 9Pot) 

filled with coconut and mango leaf, golden lamps and mud 

lamps in all the places. They decorated city with coconut 

leaves, climbers and plantations.

The news of the Indra vizha was declared while beating drums 

accompanied by 4 four defence forces. People kept kalsh 9Pot) 

filled with coconut and mango leaf, golden lamps and mud 

lamps in all the places. They decorated city with coconut 

leaves, climbers and plantations. They changed sands in roads 

and grounds. Did worship to Boothachathukkam like local 

gods. Lectures by scholars and debates were taking place. This 

is how Indravizha was celebrated.

Chinnamanur copperinscriptions revels that even in Madurai 

Indravizha was celebrated. In Aingurunuru also mentions of 

this festival is there. In Manimekalai also tells about 

Indravizha or common vizha was organised by  

Thodithitchembiyan.

Maritha land people, before going to war bless the king and 

celebrate kuravai by beating thannumai parai with singing 

and dancing.

Neithal vizha

Sea and its adjourning places are called Neithal land.Varunan 

is their god. According to Sangam literature they celebrate 

munneer vizha and Naavaai vizha.Purananuru (36) tells that  

Palyagasalai Mudu kudumi peru vazhi pandiyan celebrated 

these festivals and ancestors of Karikalan also celebrated 

Navai thiruvizha.

Varunan is related to cloud, river and sea so he is called as 

watergod (neer kadavul). He is considered as god for whole 

world and rules the world. These people offered pearls and 

couches to their god and worshipped.

Palai vizha

The dis-formed /ruined Kurinji and Mullai lands are changed 

in to Palai land. Kotram means victory. They worshipped 

goddess Kotravai who helped their victory.

We learn from silappathikaram that a girl was possessed by 

goddess Salini. People made her look aloki Kotravai Goddess 

and sat on deer. They took her as a procession on all over the 

city and women with gifts followed her. People were playing 

instruments like Parai – which was played during robbery, 

kombu- which was played during loot and flute were played 

during this time. This is the festival of Palai .

Hero stone worship

Hero stone worship (Tomb stone, Ndukal) is based on valor, 

one of the important values of Tamil culture. There are 

evidence in Sangam literature about this. When a soldier dies 

in a war, his sword and other possessions were put along with 

him. And one stone was erected on his grave. In that stone his 

name, age and valorous acts were scripted. That stone is called 

hero stone. Every year they celebrated festival on his memory. 

Today’s worshipping of village guards may be the extension of 

this practice.

Pathini (loyal wife) vazhipadu

In silappathikaram Nadukankathai (224-225) there ia a 

mention about building a temple/building for Kannagi. 

Pathini goddes worship is referred to Kannaki only. In 

Srilanka people are worshipping pathini even today. Kannaki 

was regarded as a great women in the history of Tamil epics 

and culture.

The heroine of epic Silappathikaram, got angry due to the 

murder of her husband Kovalan upon false accusation. She 

fought with Pandya king Nedunzhezhiyan and proved her 

husband’s innocence. And then she burnt Madurai city. 

Kannaki was born in Chozha country and proved justice in 

pandya dynasty. She is considered as loyal goddess in Chozha 

country.

Pavai Nonbu

During the Tamil month of Margazhi women do pavai nonbu 

or Margazhi nonbu. They recite Thiruppavai written by Andal 

and Thiruvempavai written by Manikkavasakar.

 Unmarried girls do this fasting (worship) (nonbu) to get good 

husband and married women do this for the wellness of their 

husband. This is celebrated from ancient days.

 

 

Andal and Manikkavasakar prayed to god for rain and 

prosperity of the people in these writings and people recite 

these songs at home as well as in temples.

According to the second poem in Thiruppavai, women get up 

early in the morning, take bath and without decorating them, 

do donations and contributions to others and do this ritual of 

pavai nonbu.

Festivals based on nature

Pongal festivals

 

Pongal is celebrated all over the world. The sun is the main 

reason for good crops and yields. So to pay their gratitude, 

people celebrate poghi pongal. This is celebrated for 4 days as 

Boghi, pongal, mattu pongal and kanum pongal.

Boghi pandigai

It is celebrated every year on the last day of Margazhi month. 

Its purpose is to remove unwanted things from the house and 

unwanted thoughts from the mind.

On this day people clean their houses and decorate it with 

turmeric and sandal. Evening they tie neem leaves, 

avarampoo and pulaipoo on roof of the house.

Pongal festival

Farmers who sowed crops in the month of Adi month (July) 

harvest it during Thai month (January ). To offer the first 

harvest to the Sun god is Pongal festival. They use new stone 

for stove, new pot to cook and new spatula.

They clean the front of the house with cow dung and make 

rangolies. Use new flowers for worship. Decorate the pongal 

pot with Ginger, Turmeric leaves and kumkum. They make 

sweet rice puddings (sakkarai pongal) with newly cultivated 

rice, newly made jaggery, cashew nut, raisins, ghee and milk. 

They offer this pongal to Sun god along with their produce 

from the field like sugar cane, turmeric, ginger and plantation.

Mattu pongal ( Worshipping livestock)

Mattu pongal is celebrated to say thanks to ox and cow which 

helps in cultivation and occupation.

On this day people clean and decorate the cows and bulls. 

Offer them pongal and worship them. And in the evening they 

play Jallikattu sport and control the bull. You can understand 

the antiquity of this valorous sport as there was mention 

about this in Sangam literature.

In ancient times livestock was the symbol of wealth. There 

were proverbs about this. As valluvar said ‘ ஏரின் 

பின்னால் தான் உலகமே சுழல்கின்றது' , but 

that plough is behind bulls. So cow and bulls are keeping the 

farming and farmers live.

Kanum pongal

It is celebrated to forget the enmities and revive the 

relationship. People visit elders and relatives to get blessings. 

They celebrate this day by conducting debates and playing 

traditional sports.

Chithirai festivals

The biggest festival of Tamil Nadu, Madurai Chithirai festival 

is celebrated by Saivism and Vaishnavism together. 

Meenakshi Sundareswarar kalyanam (marriage) is Saiva 

festival and Kallazhagar festival is vaishnava festival and both 

are celebrated together in chithirai festival from the period of  

Thirumalai Nayakar. It starts from 5^th day from the new moon 

day of Chithirai month and celebrated for 10 days.

Adi perukku

Due to the South west monsoon, rivers in Tamil Nadu are 

filled with new water flows during the month of Adi (July). 

People living near Cauvery river believe it as their mother and 

goddess.

So they worship rivers during Adi month and start their 

farming after that. There is a proverb for this also 'ஆடிப் 

பட்டம் தேடி விதை’ During the 18^th day of Tamil Month 

Adi this festival is celebrated.

Masi magam festivals

Durong the Tamil month of masi when guru planet in simha 

rasi, if full moon day falls on magam star, that day is 

celebrated as masi magam. Guru(JUpiter) takes one year to 

travel from onezodiac sign to another. So during the day of 

transition Masi magam is celebrated. It takes 12 years for guru 

to pass all the 12 zodiac signs. That is why Maha Magam is 

celebrated once in 12 years. It is auspicious to take bath in 

places on that day. People take bath in Kumbakonam 

Mahamaham tank, which is considered as the most auspicious 

water to take bath. This is considered as Southern Kumb mela 

like Kumb mela of North.

11 th std book link  

11 std Ethics அறவியலும்இந்தியப் பண்பாடும் volume 1 Translation of 4th lesson தமிழர் கலைகள் part 3

  4^th lesson தமிழர் கலைகள் part 3

 

In the walls of Tanjore big temple one can see the paintings of 

dancing girls. From the minutely painted hairstyles, 

decorations of these paintings we can understand the 

importance given to these dancing girls at that time. Raja raja 

chozhan appointed pathiyilar , best dancers from all over the 

country doe the big temple. He gifted them one house and 

around 6 acres of land. It is there in Thanjai stone 

inscriptions. And in another stone inscription we learn that 

Raja rajan gave the title ‘Sakkai Marayan’ to a dancer in 

kamarasavalli village.

Later age

During the period of Nayakars, carnatic music started to 

spread in TN. During that time North Indian books on dance 

were translated into Tamil.

மகா்ாரத சூடாமணி, அபிநேதர்ப்ணம்,  

அபிநேதர்ப்ண விைாெம், ்ரவராக தாளம்,  

சுத்தானநதப பிரகாெம், ஆதிமூை ்ாரதம்,  

்ரத ொத்திரம், ்ரத யெனா்திேம் முதலிே 

வமாழிவ்ேர்ககப்ட்ட நடன நூல்கழள மா.  

இராொணிககனார் ்ட்டிேலிடுகின்றைார்.

From early times Tamil people nurtures the Bharat Natyam 

dance. It is dancing to the tune of music with expressions. 

Hand postures are inevitable to this. As it was said by Ilango 

Adigal, there are 2 types one hand posture and 2 hands 

posture in it. ஒருழக முத்திழர இழணோ 

விழனகழக என்றும், பிணடிகழக என்றும் 

அழைககப்டுகின்றைது. இருழக முத்திழர 

இழணகழக, இரட்ழடகழக, பிழணகழக 

என்றும் அழைககப்டுகின்றைது. These 

mudras(hand postures) are like life to Bharat Natyam. 

Without understanding these mudras, it will be difficult to 

understand and enjoy this dance.

From the period of Nomadic life, human beings expressed 

their views through dances. We can learn about the greatness 

of dance through literature, paintings and sculpture.

Folk arts

Folk sport is also one of folk arts. These sports consists of 

qualities like, imitation of others, find the strength, expression 

of knowledge, social relations, life training, thinking capability 

and reveals culture. To establish body strength and mins 

strength is its objective. ஏறுதழுவுதல் ( Control the ox) 

running races are traditional sports and it is to show the 

valour and strength.

Sports of Tamil nadu

விழளோட்டு என்்து விரும்பிோடும் ஆட்டு.  

விழள - விருப்ம், ஆட்டு - ஆட்டம். தமிைர் 

மரபில் சிறைபபிடம் வ்று்ழவ விழளோட்டுகள்.  

வகடவரல், ்ணழண ஆகிே இரணடு 

வழகோன விழளோட்டுகள் ்றறிவகடவரல் 

 ்ணழண ஆயிரணடும் விழளோட்டு (வதால்.  

உரி 21)

in Tholkappiyam. To do the act of protecting girls from 

animals is called ‘kedavaral’and act like a farmer protecting 

his land is called ‘pannai sport. 

According to tholkappiyar, Happiness is the objective of sport. 

Among 8 types of feelings, happiness can be attained through 

4 ways. Thol- 255)

Tamil sports are all having common characteristic of playing 

in 2 groups. No one should harm others depending on 

winning or losing. Should think the suffering/ sorrow of 

others as theirs, even if it is of opposite team. These are the 

rules.

Pillaithamizh tells about the children’s 10 stages of growing. It 

is divided into anparpillaithamizh and penparpillaithamish 

for both boy and girl. Boys play siruparai,beating parai 

(Drums) while playing and making chariot and play is called  

siruther Sitril is (making house), Ammanai (sitting in round 

and singing), Kazhangu (playing with stones), usal (playing in 

swing) are the games for girls.

We can divide the Tn sports as per pillai thamizh. Generally boys play valour games.

 

 

Heroic sports

Sports and games make us cheerful, according to 

Tholkappiyar. Heroic sports are played to risk one’s life. We 

can name many folk sports like Eruthazhuvudal(to control 

bull) Sadugudu ( kabadi )Silambattam (fighting with stick), 

Ilavattakkal (lifting heavy stone) urimaram ( climbing a 

wooden pole and win prizes) etc.

These games are classified in 2 categories. One is played 

between man and animal, like parivettai (hunting) 

Eruthazuvudal and another is played between man and man 

like silambattam, pulivedam.

These sports improves the qualities like excitement, to attain 

the target, self determination, group mentality, friendliness, 

taking care of health in player’s life. Our ancestors knew this 

and developed these kind of sports.

Eruthazhuvudal

Manju virattu or Eruthazhuvudal is one of the heroic sport. In 

Mullaikkali there is a mention about Eruthazhuvudal. So it is 

there for long.

To control the ox holding its hump or horn is called 

Eruthazhuvudal. In later days golden coins were hung on ox’s 

horns and one had to control the ox and win those coins. As 

coins are called salli, it is called salli kattu.

It has vadi vasal, thitti vasal kind of parts and called as  

வேலி 

மஞ்சுவிரட்டு, வாடிவாசல் மஞ்சுவிரட்டு, வடம் 

மஞ்சுவிரட்டு is played according to the region.

This sport is included in worshipping of local deities. If 

measles like diseases spread and drought prevails, to eradicate 

these things people pray to local gods that they will do Manju 

virattu during pongal to please the god.

The ox/bull participate in the game is called sallimadu. They 

train these bulls from the calf stage itself by showing towel 

and irritating the calf. This is called urri kattudal

In this sport ox is decorated with anklets and chains in the 

neck and legs, garland made with coins in forehead and small 

chains in the horns. Those who take out the coins bag from 

the decorated ox is the winner.

Silambattam

This is one of the folk games of TN. It is played with silambu 

(wooden bars/sticks). Players fighting with bars and noises 

are made with bars during this game. Noise also made with 

metal weapons during the game.

One should rotate the silambu(bar) efficiently and elegantly to 

win the enemy. Due to that rules anf regulations like war is 

there in this game. Exercise, self protection and struggle are 

the motive of this game. In Nadasari palm leaflet news 

contains story about silambattam.

This game becomes artistic when the players rotate the bars 

and dance while rotating. There are many ancient suvadu 

methods for this silambattam. To beat the opponent’s varma 

pulse/artery is called thattuvarmasuvadu

There are 2 types of game in this silambattam. Adichuppirivu 

and puttuppirivu. Beat the opponen’s weak point and then 

stopping it by the opponent is called adichuppirivu. And 

locking the opponent with the hands and freeing that by 

opponent is called puttupirivu.

In Kanyakumari district silambattam is played with passion 

during festivals. Still now teacher re there for silambattam.  

This game is an example of Tamil people’s valour and subtle 

performance.

Sadugudu

Sadugudu is continuation of valour act performed in vetchi 

karandai thinai. It was called as Kutti in Pandya kingdom, 

Palichapilan, paleen sadugudu in Chozha kingdom, sadugudu 

in southern chozha kingdom.

It is played 2 teams. One team player holding breath, singing 

sadugudu words go to opponent’s side and return back 

without anybody touching him. Catching of the player who 

comes to their side by opposite team and relieving their hold 

by the player is the playing method of this game. The player 

 holding breath is called pattam. The pattam player needs 

individual valour and the opponents need group valour in this 

game. It is called kabadi now a days.

In sanjeevi type of sadugudu, they won’t sent out the captured 

player, but will count his name at the end. In adathu ozhiyum 

attam, captured player will be ousted and won’t be included 

till the end.

Ilavattakkal

Some scholars have the view that because of the old habit of 

living with stones, it became the habit of human beings to 

include stones in life and later man developed sports relating 

to stone to test strength and valour.

It was played to marry a girl loved by him. Now it is played 

during festivals.

During the game the player should life the heavy weighing 

stone abovev his head and drop it on the floor. Village elders 

will be judges for this game.

This game indicates that valour and strength of the groom i 

important than his wealth.

Uri maram eruthal

To climb a wooden pole with out bark is called urimaram 

eruthal. Udiyamaran thicker than the plam size is only used in 

this game. The bark-less tree will be slippery and upon them 

caster oil is applied. At the top of this oiled pole, they tie the 

 prizes. And they will erect the pole. The participants have to 

climb this pole, and get the prizes in order to win the game.

Mountain people have the habit of climbing slippery rocks, 

vertical rocks. When they settled in plains there was no need 

for these kind of acts. So during festivals it is included as a 

sport to show their abilities. It is widespread played in 

Madurai region. Now they use iron poles.

Even games like katta vilayattu, pathinaintham puli, 

natchathira vilayattu .... also called as valour games as it shows 

the sharpness of mind.

Gilli

This folk/village sport is played by boys and men. இது 

கில்லி, புல்லுக்குச்சி, கில்லிதாண்டு,  

 சில்லாங்குச்சி எனப் பல்வேறு பெயர்களில் 

அழைக்கப்படுகிறது. It is played with 2 sticks, smaller 

one is called gilli and longer one is called thaandal. Minimum 

of 2 people is required to play this and if more people want to 

play they can form 2 groups and play. The length of smaller 

stick is 9 inches and longer stick is 18 inches. Both the ends of 

smaller stick is sharpened and one end of longer stick is 

sharpened. They dig 2 inch size pit on ground and keep that 

smaller stick upon the pit. The danda is used to flick the short 

gilli into the air, and hit again to make it travel to a maximum 

distance. If the opponent player catches the gilli, or if it falls at 

a longer distance the player is out. The opponent will throw 

 the gilli in to the pit. If it directly falls in to the pitch the 

player is out. They get 3 chances to play. And they measure 

the distance between the pit and the place where gilli fell. And 

the team who pitched the gilli to longer distance is the winner.

They played games like கோலி, பேந்தா, அஞ்சல 

குஞ்சம்,, நொண்டி விளையாட்டு, சில்லி,  

தாயம், பரமபதம், ஆடுபுலியாட்டம்,  

பூப்பறித்தல்,, கணணாம்மூச்சி, பல்லாங்குழி.

Pachai kuthirai

This is played by children of same age group. The first step in 

this game starts with jumping over one’s leg. Then step by 

step the opponent player increases his level and lastly the 

player has to jump over the person who is bending before him.

Kal thandal

This is jumping over the legs. The opponent player will 

increase the height step by step and the player without 

touching his legs should jump over.

Al thandal

The player jumps over the person who is standing with 

bending infront of him. The player can place his hands on the 

opponent’s back and jump. Even in while bending also the 

opponent can increase the height by standing from touching 

the toes to standing by touching his thighs.

Kunuthal

The person who jumper over has to bend next for the others to 

play.

Loser

Loser has to bend for others even if he loses.