Film
According to American news magazine Newsweek, the commercial success of the film "Muthu" in Japan led this actor to replace Leonardo DiCaprio as "Japan's trendiest heartthrob" and become the most popular Indian actor in the country, with former Indian PM Manmohan Singh crediting this actor for improved relations between India and Japan.
Rajinikanth
This 2011 song that features "Tanglish", the mixing of Tamil and English, became an internet phenomenon that started a "national rage" of South Indian music in India.
Why this Kolaveri
This ancient Tamil dynasty served as the central background for the Tamil epic "Ponniyin Selvan", with a restaurant on Frankin/Lenoir serving as its namesake
Chola
This classical Indian dance originated from Tamil Nadu
Bharatanatyam
This is the state game/sport of Tamil Nadu
Kabaddi
This 2021 Tamil film was the first Indian film to hold the number 1 spot at the global box office at the time of its release, being credited for reviving the Tamil Nadu theatrical business post-COVID
Master
This Tamil music composer is the only Indian to have won two Oscars
A.R. Rahman
This Robin Hood-esque Tamil king is remembered for his rebellion against the British
Veerapandiyan Kattabomman
This Tamil muti-day harvest festival is observed in the Tamil month Thai (around January), marking the end of the winter solstice
This is the only other country apart from India and Sri Lanka that recognizes Tamil as an official language
Singapore
Dubbed the Marlon Brando of South India's Film Industry by the LA Times, this Tamil actor was the first Indian to win an international best actor award
Sivaji Ganesan
This Tamil Music Director made his debut at the age of 16, becoming the youngest to do so
Yuvan Shankar Raja
This zoo in Chennai is the oldest zoo in India
Vandalur Zoo
This classic Tamil text written by Thiruvalluvar is considered one of the greatest works on ethics and morality and is one of the most translated literary works in the world
Thirukkural
This North Indian state designated Tamil as its second language between 1969-2010
Haryana
In 2022 this Tamil actor became the first South Indian actor to be invited to and join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences/Oscars Committee
Suriya
This popular A.R. Rahman song from the film "Kadhalan" was sampled by American rapper will.i.am for the song "It's My Birthday"
Urvasi Urvasi
Known as the "Father of the Dravidian Movement", the ideologies of this Tamil social activist serves as the foundation of the Modern Tamil Nadu government and politics
E.V. Periyar
This traditional event/activity that is often celebrated on the third day of Pongal, Mattu Pongal, involves releasing a bull into a crowd of people for participants to attempt to grab and hold the lump for as long as possible, attempting to stop the bull.
Jallikattu
This Tamil doctor and social reformer was the first woman to become a doctor in India and is noted for her strides in getting rights for and uplifting both women and the marginalized Devadasi community
Muthulakshi Reddy
This 2002 Tamil film received a record 6 National Awards, becoming the first South Indian film to do so
Kannathil Muthamittal
This song from the 2002 movie "Gemini" aided in the success of the film and the resurrection of the Tamil film industry during a downtime, popularizing the titular phrase
O Podu
This is the oldest known ancient Tamil text
Tolkappiyam
Tamil New Year (Puthandu) falls on the first day of this Tamil Month, which usually occurs mid-April to mid-May.
Chitthirai
The 2017 film "Theeran: Adhigaram Ondru" is based on this real life national operation spearheaded by the Tamil Nadu Police to bring down the dacoity Bawaria Gang across India
Operation Bawaria