Introduction
Refer chapter 1 of 11th. It is same.
Definition of culture
Culture is morality theory for living life in a matured, balanced and right way. What we call as culture was mentioned in Tamil literature as nobility(சால்பு,), greatness (சான்றாண்மை) . Cultured people were called as noble people, disciplined people and people having good character in Tamil literature.
Culture includes one breed’s (ethnicity) policies, theories, objectives, lifestyle, habits, laws of society, religion, method of worships, love affairs, chastity, internal and external life conventions, constitution, literary convention, clothes, jewelries, food habits, festivals, entertainments and sports.
As we learn culture of an ethnicity from written written literature, folk literature also helps to understand the culture of the people. We can see that in folk songs, nomadic literature, proverbs, puzzles, sayings, songs. Even it reveals in music, dramas, paintings, architectures.
Encyclopedia of life – For generations what people learned as a group about behavioural sense, habits and conventions is called culture.
English dictionary – From practice and experience the growth of body, soul and feeling/ consciousness is called culture.
Definition of culture by scholars
Vivekananda – Culture is determined by religion, tradition and economy.
Devaneyapavanar- It is already in 1st chapter of 11th.
S.Vaidhylingam – Culture is included in civilization. In the course of time, development of people’s mental health is culture.
E.B.Tylor – Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, law, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by [a human] as a member of society.
Ruth Benedict – The difference in thoughts, actions and behaviours of each race/ethnicity is called culture.
Walter – Culture shines if each one is doing their work happily with sincerity and honesty.
Elwood and Brown – Culture is the control of human beings on nature and themselves. It includes clothes, arms, instruments, living place, spirituality, language and literature.
c.c. North – Culture is an instrument developed by man to fulfill his necessity and desire.
Mathew Arnold – Culture is longing of one’s interest in increasing his qualities and protecting the society.
Malinowski – Culture is instrument developed by people. From this media people are fulfilling their needs.
E. Adamson Hoebel – Culture is a combination of behavioral pattern of people when acting together. It belongs to that particular ethnicity only. Not comes under hereditary in biology.
K.M Munshi- Culture is a worthy way of living. It is enthused by the assessment/values trusted by people.
American anthologists – The unique characteristics of particular breed is called culture.
Evidence of Antiquity of Indian culture
Literature helps to understand the happenings of that period. That is why it is called as a mirror of time. Literature is a special gateway of our cultural elements. The literary evidence is classified in 8 as follows:-
Vedas
Vedas are evidence of antiquity and it is divided into four as
Rig, yajur, sama and atharvana. These Vedas explains about
the rituals and methods followed during that time. Vedas and
Brahmanas tells about the religious beliefs and methods of
Aryans. Aranyas and Upanishads tells about philosophical
view of saints sages of ancient times. It also explains about
their knowledge in astrology, medicine and language. It
explains about the ways of ‘homam’/ yagna, rules and
regulations for family life and abstinence.
Epics
Ramayan Mahabharata are the 2 epics of India. Through these
two we came to know that the nomadic Aryans built houses
and resided in permanent places. And learn about political
and social struggles of that period, taxes, city life,
punishments, lifestyles of people. The caste system which was
emerged in post-vedic period was became stronger during the
period of epics.
Dharma Shastra – Moral books
Moral books are evidence of history and culture. The rule
books written by Manu, Yagna valkiyar, vishnu, Brahaspathy,
Narada are called Dharma shastra. Through these books we
learn about the method of punishments, social protocols, rules
and regulations of those period.
11 books in Pathinenkizh kanakku noolgal emphasize moral
views. ‘Rule book of world’ Thirukkural talks about
ethics.Nadiyar written by Jain saints is also explains about
morals. Aranericharam defines ethics and culture. Avvayar’s
Athichdi teaches cultural features with simple single liners.
Her other books are also about ethics in life.
Literature of Budhism
The Buddhist literature tells the teachings and preaching of
Budha.It was written in Pali and Prakrit language. Buddhist
literature has 3 divisions. அவை சுத்த பீடகம், விநய
பீடகம், அபிதம்ம பீடகம்.Sudha pitakam tells about
Buddha's preaching. Vinaya pitakam explains the rules and
regulations and protocols for Buddhist saints. Abithamma
pitakam explains the philosophical views of Buddha in 7 parts.
மிலிந்தபான்ஹா, லலிதவிஸ்தரா, வைபுல்ய
சூத்திரங்கள், நேத்திபிரகர்ணம், பேதக
உபதேசம் are some of Buddhist books.
Through Manimekalai like books we came to know about the
spread of Buddhism in TN.
Books of Jainism
Books of Jainism is also called ‘agama ideology’ It is divided
into many parts and explains about the theories of Jainism.
Eventhough Jainism divided into 2 as Shvethambar and
Digambar, there were so many books written in them. Tamil
Idylls Silappathikaram and Sivaka Chinthamani and many
more books helping to know about Jainism.
Separate Literature
Through pathupattu Ettuthogai books Sangam literature
explains about the culture of tamil people. Agananuru one of
Ettuthogai books, we learn about the Tamil people’s marriage
ceremony. We learn sociology, through purananuru’s phrase
‘யாதும் ஊரே யாவரும் கேளிர்‘ we learn importance
of love in Aingurunuru, the principles to be followed in
married life such as hospitality, respecting elders, prosperity
in poverty in Natrinai, Margazhi fasting’s importance in
kalithogai.
Folk literature
Folk literature helps to learn about people’s beliefs,
worshiping methods, festival, sports and medicines. It
includes, stories, poems, riddles and proverbs and
mythological stories.
Folk songs
Like other countries we also have immortal qualities. We have
faith in God, fear of doing sin, religious attachment.
From lullaby to lamenting folk songs are echoing all the
incidents of life. We can see the feelings of the folk people,
their efficiency to write songs and imagination.
Pannathi in Tholkappiyam refers to folk ongs only. It means
love of music.
Folk people loved to worship nature. We can see this in the
following poem
‘சந்திரரே சூரியரே
சாமி பகவானே
இந்திரரே வாசுதேவா
இப்ப மழை பெய்யவேணும்
மந்தையிலே மாரியாயி
மலைமேல மாயவரே
இந்திரரே சூரியரே
இப்ப மழை பெய்யவேணும்‘
In a social gathering people sang kondatta padalgal songs and
enjoyed. Song from a marriage ceremony is as follows,
பிள்ளை பதினாறும் பெற்றுப்
பெருவாழ்வு வாழ்ந்திருங்கள்
மக்கள் பதினாறும் பெற்று
மங்களமாய் வாழ்ந்திருங்கள்
ஆல்போல் தழைத்து
அருகுபோல் வேரூன்றி
நலமுடனே எல்லாரும்
ஞானமுடன் வாழ்ந்திடுவீர்.
These songs expresses their cultural thinking.
Folk stories
Native people lived in various parts of India, fabricated stories
about world and its look. Over time these stories were called
as epics and mythological stories. These stories are helping us
to learn about ancient times. So India is called as
depository/repository of stories.
Tholkappiyam also tells that stories were prevailed in ancient
times.
Entertainment stories were evolved into stories with moral
values to cherish children. Sue to stories heard from his
mother Marathi leader Sivaji became courageous in hi life.
Harichandra story heard by Gandhiji in his earlier days made
him to speak truth only.
விக்கிரமாதித்தன் கதைகள், பஞ்ச
தந்திரக் கதைகள், மரியாதை ராமன்
கதைகள்,தெனாலிராமன் கதைகள், இராயர்
அப்பாஜிகதைகள், புத்தர் ஜாதகக் கதைகள்,
அக்பர்பீர்பால் கதைகள், மதன காமராசன்
கதைகள்,தமிழக நாட்டுப்புறக் கதைகள்
போன்றவை சில நாட்டுப்புறக் கதைகளாகும்.
Folk songs with stories
To sing a story is called kadaipadal. In aparticular culture, and
in a particular situation, a singer or a group of singers sing the
stories or incidents is called kadaipadal. Either single story or
multiple stories were sung. It was in people’s spoken language.
These stories are pioneers of idylls. Stories from epics, stories
about village gods, social stories and historical stories were
included in kadaipadal.
Kadaipadal is also called ammanai in Tamil. Ammanai was
first coined in silappathikaram. There are 4 parts in
Ammanai. Offering Prayers to god is kappu or vazhipadu. To
salute teacher/guru is guru vanakkam. Then describing the
story or incidents as song is varalaru. Lastly to bless the
viewers and others is called vazhi.
முத்துப்பட்டன் கதை, நல்லதங்காள்
கதை, காத்தவராயன் கதைப்பா டல்,
வீரபாண்டியக் கட்டபொம்மு பாடல்,
பஞ்சபாண்டவர் வனவாசம், கான்சாகிபு சண்டை,
சுடலைமாடன் கதை, வில்லுப்பாட்டு போன்றவை
சில வரலாற்றுக் கதைப்பா டல்களாகும்.
Social status of that period can be learn in kadaipadal. We
learn about the habits and faiths of indigenous people also.
And it also reveals the features of great cultures and disorders
of societies. These kadaipadalgal are called as veerakaviyngal.
And they were also worshiped as gods after death.
Proverbs
Proverbs are there in all the languages of the world. These are
considered as a measurement of culture of that country. These
days we have laws to keep the people in order. But in ancient
times without any laws, proverbs basically made the people to
follow the morality.
Among social characters discipline is the important one.
These proverbs ‘ஒழுக்கம் உயர்வுதரும், ஒழுக்கம்
உயர்குலத்தினும் உயர்வு‘ implied that people should
live with chatacters. According to the proverb ‘
பழுத்தமரமும் செழித்தசெல்வமும்
பசியாற்றவே‘ having wealth is to help others.
‘அன்போடு அளிக்கும் கஞ்சி, அறுசுவை
உணவை மிஞ்சும்‘ reveals the importance of hospitality.
‘கெடுவான் கேடு நினைப்பா ன்‘,
‘தினை விதைத்தவன் தினை அறுப்பான்,
வினைவிதைத்தவன் வினை அறுப்பான்‘,
‘முற்பகல்செய்யின் பிற்பகல் விளையும்‘
proverbs tells about
good thinking and living with morality.
Proverbs are connected with lifestyle of the people. For
example people put salt in guests’ plate. To teach a moral that
one should not destroy the people in that house where one ate
the following proverbs emerged - ‘உப்பிட்டவரை
உள்ளளவும் நினை' ‘சோற்றுக்குமுன் உப்பு,
பேச்சுக்குமுன் பழமொழி'. In ancient times the
panchayat leader tells proverbs before opening the case. For
example if the case is between brothers, he tells ‘கரும்பு
கட்டோடு இருந்தால், எறும்பால் ஒன்றும்
செய்யாது‘ like proverb and then only he will start the case
proceedings. When brothers heard these proverbs, they
realised their mistakes and started living together. Quotations
and proverbs are different. To tell best opinions is quotations.
Proverbs emphasis about cultures. Proverbs are created with
rhymes so that people can remember it and follow it in their
lives. The important aspect of our country’s culture is giving
importance to elders in the house. If there is elders in a house,
then that house will not face any troubles, as they will protect
the unity of the house. The proverb ‘மூத்தோர் சொல்
முது
நெல்லிக்கனி' tells that we should give respect to elders.
So proverbs are treasuries of a country which contain culture,
civilization and history.
Mythology
Ancient stories are called mythology. Even though it contains
fictions, we learn about Indian culture through these. We
learn about religions, worships, idol worships, principles,
theories, superstitions, shastras from these mythologies. The
temples and its happenings, festivals and rituals are based on
mythology only. வாயு புராணம், விஷ்ணு புராணம்,
மச்ச புராணம், பிரம்ம புராணம், பவிஷிய
புராணம் முதலியன அவற்றுள்
சிலவாகும்.
Mytholgy is full of fictions. Its characters are not only human
beings but also animals and birds. When there was no
scientific developments, people saw mythology as an
instrument to overcome their difficulties. They thought
according to their experience in life. Even lunar eclipse and
solar eclipse were considered as a snake eating moon and sun.
And according to them sky is male, moon is female, full moon
a good omen which is a symbol of life and new moon day is a
symbol of death. Rainbow was considered as a magic bow and
they believed that if rainbow comes, rain will stop.
All over the world, the concept is there that universe was
destroyed by flood and again it was created. The concept of
village gods having more power, living like people, friendly to
people and having more power, and found solutions to
problems of people is there in mythology. Mythology helps to
know the news about generations prior to scientific
developments and also to regenerate the culture and history
again.
மகாபுராணம், கந்தபுராணம், விநாயகப்
புராணம், பாகவதம் போன்றவை புராணக்
கதைகளுள் சிலவாகும்.
Aspects of Indian cultures
1. Sustainability
Sustainability adds value to the culture.The external
development of human beings is civilization, which is in the
process of changing with times. But culture which is an
internal aspect stays with the people and it passes from one
generation to another generation.
2. Elasticity
Culture also has elasticity. Without tenacity, it changes with
the situation and period. Civilization changes at any time. But
even though culture accepts changes, its identity will be there.
3. Usage in day to day life
Culture helps in day to day life. It helps individuals and
societies to attain their goal.
4. Helping in full growth and development
The growth of a man depends on his body and soul. Culture
helps to get these two. Indian culture helps to live friendly
with nature and live united with other citizens.
5. Knowledge of experience
From the knowledge of experience, people applies ideas of
lifestyles and abilities learned from previous generations to
improvise their life. Due to this current generation is learning
about Indian culture.
Special features of Indian culture
Indian culture is ancient and multi faced. It has the
environment of having people with different culture and
religious beliefs lived peacefully and with reconciliation for
centuries. From so many historical experience and
happenings we achieved this current culture.
The spread of culture nowadays is very fast. Culture developed
due to internet, telecommunications, and media in recent
days. Following are the important features of our culture.
Based on Sprituality
Spirituality is rootstock of our culture. Indian culture teaches
us to get sovereignty through Spiritual integrity. Temples in
India are evidence of Bhakti movement. People of multiple
religions living in our country. They have different life style
and culture. But all the religions gives importance to purity of
heart, body and soul. They teaches to give away desire and
understand the spiritual path. It appreciates the Dharma,
ethics, concept of incarnation without ignoring. Live united as
per ‘ஒன்றே குலம், ஒருவனே
தேவன்‘ Tirumular's words. “எல்லாரும்
இன்புற்றிருக்க நினைப்ப துவே அல்லாம ல்
வேறொன்றும் அறியேன் பராபரமே“என்று
தாயுமானவர் கூறுவது, is high thinking about
spiritual integrity.
Eternity
People says that best cultural features are from Rome, Greek,
Babylon, Egypt, and Persia. For eg. Pyramids. But our Indian
culture is eternal by itself. Because it is passing on from one
genertion to another.
Tolerance and Reconciliation
Due to greatness of our culture, even though we have
differences in religion, ethnicity, language, habits and beliefs
we stand united. Reconciliation yields to thought of protecting
the land. Compromising for others make increase our
tolerance.
Humanity
To be loved by some one, we should love some one. This
thinking is the basic of humanity. One who has this quality is
called as cultured man. Apart from language and creed mutual
affections and universal thinking makes our culture great.
Philosophical theories
The philosophical theories of our culture increases the
greatness of our culture. So many rishis/saints, scholars, sages
and sidhas preachings and great thoughts are followed in
India which is ancient and has great culture. These theories
purify the internal and external thoughts of human beings and
make it great.
வேதங்கள், உபநிடதங்கள், காவியங்கள்,
புராணங்கள், பகவத்கீதை போன்ற தத்துவ
மறைகள் reveals the greatness of human culture.
Bhakti/religious books in சமணம், ப ௌத்தம்,
கிறித்துவம், இஸ்லாம் explains about the hidden
meaning of philosophy. According to Rig veda, let great
thoughts from all the parts come to us’. Likewise our culture
include all good thoughts and standing tall in the world in
terms of culture.
Status of eternal values
Love
To show affection to each other is called love. It is called in
many names like compassion, pity, kindness. Love is the basic
of grace.
Truthfulness
சத்தியம்
சத்தியம் என்பது உண்மை
எனப்படுகிறது. உள்ளத்திலிருந்து வருவது
உண்மையெனவும், வாயிலிருந்து வருவதால்
வாய்மை எனவும் அழைக்கப்படுகிறது.
உடலால் வருவது மெய்மை. இம்மூன்றையும்
உள்ளடக்கிய சொ ல் சத்தியமாகும்.
Charity
The universe is moving due to charity only. In Tamil helping
others is called
அறம், ஈகை.
Ahimsa non violence
Not to do cruelty to others by thoughts, words or acts is non
violence.
Peace of mind
To be relieved of thoughts is Peace of mind. Worshiping god
gives peace of mind.
Brotherhood
All human beings are brothers and we are one is brotherhood
in our Indian culture. இயம்புவதேயாகும்.“யாதும்
ஊரே யாவரும் கேளிர்“, என்ற கணியன்
பூங்குன்றனாரின் கருத்தும் இதுவே.
Pity
To show kindness to all the species like human beings,
animals and plants is called pity.
Culture and civilization
In old and new stone ages human being lived like animals
with out mental and physical growth.He used rough stones as
instruments in old stone age and sharp and toned stone as
instruments/weapons. After that step by step his knowledge
was developed.
Next he learned about metals and used that. In beginning he
was a hunter, then he learned farming, animal husbandry,
weaving etc. Due to economic growth built comfortable homes
and lived. To make his external world great he did ஆடை,
அணிகலன்கள், ஒப்பனை ப்
பொருள்கள், உணவு வகைகள், பாத்திரங்கள்
வானளாவிய கோபுரங்கள், மாட மாளிகைகள்,
அழகிய நெடுஞ்சாலை கள், ஊர்திகள்,
தொழிற்சாலைகள், வானொலி, தொலைபே சி,
தொலைக்காட்சி, மின்னஞ்சல் போன்ற
துறைகளில் வளர்ச்சியடைந்துள்ளான். So he
developed facilities ccording to his needs. This external
development is called civilization.
Etymology of civilization.
From Nagar- (city) only the word nagarigam emerged.
Nagar+agam. As the people in cities are having all the
facilities their way of living is called as nagarigam. We see that
day by day it is changing and growing.
Culture -civilization Similarities and differences
Both these are related to each other and helping each other for
their growth. Civilization is growth of external life and culture
is inner development.
Civilization is like one’s body. Due to the facilities and
infrastructure development a country can be in top position
and become world famous. Their growth in science and
technology and innovations can uplift the lifestyle of the
country’s people. And due to this their economic condition
can also improve. These are external growth of a country.
Culture is like life. It is inner growth. The improvement of
thoughts in people’s mind. The noble thoughts depicts in
people’s thoughts, words and acts. Apart from external
growth, the internal growth due to the functioning of these
elements of inner developments such as discipline, humility,
truthfulness, cleanliness, kindness is called culture.
Differences
We can measure the period and nature of external
developments, but you can’t measure culture which causes
changing of mind in every different situation.
Growth of Civilization is fast. But culture grows at proper and
regular speed.
Civilization can be followed by all easily from anywhere, from
any place, any country. But culture can be followed with great
effort by people with same mindset and consensus.
Use of telecommunication is same in any country. And the
changes and developments in it can be followed easily from
anywhere. But there is a difference in theories of arts,
literature and religious elements in every country and every
ethnicity. So one has to explore which is wanted and which is
unwanted among these things and then only can follow.
Even though there are differences in culture and civilization, if
there is no growth in civilization, then there won’t be any
development in culture also. If there is negative elements like,
restlessness, fear, confusion, jealousy, strife, immature and
incompatibility in the country cultural development is also
impossible just like growth in civilization.
In short if we satiate the thirst of inner development based on
culture, and adapt the best and needed developments in
civilization life will be happy/beautiful. For example nuclear
energy can be used electricity and other welfare activities and
should not be used for destruction.
Unity in diversity
We are having differences in language, ethnicity, culture, food,
clothes, religion, festival, occupation, method of worshipping,
but we unite as Indians. This is called Unity in diversity.
Uses of cultural education
The education institution are doing great job to delivers the
features of our culture to younger generation. They spread the
awareness of culture and teach the method of preserving it.
Elements of life
To realise the elements of life. Morality, wealth, happiness and
eternity or heaven. Cultural education teaches to attain all
these.
2. True elements of day to day life
Cultural education teaches the like Respect others, helping
others, truthfulness at any time, tolerance, living with
compromise.
3. To follow the correct objectives
Objective of lives helps in living a cultured life. It helps to
explore the correct way of life by way of avoiding wrong
doings.
4. Solutions to problems
Cultural education gives the knowledge to find solutions for
happenings in the society. Thirukural like books have
opinions about politics, medicine and economics. By reading
those we can get solutions.
5. Living with nature
According Vedas and mythology, our ancestors worshipped
nature and lived long without any diseases by following
natural way of medicine and food. For them food is medicine
and medicine is food. So it is good to live with nature.
Like this cultural education teaches to know our antiquity and
living a better life by integrating modern thoughts with
ancient knowledge.
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