Culture of Coimbatore explained

Culture of Coimbatore is based on the culture of the Kongu Nadu region and is distinctly unique. Being a cosmopolitan city, the culture of the city reflects its diverse population which has resulted in a unique blend. Though it is generally considered a traditional city, Coimbatore is more diverse and cosmopolitan than other cities in Tamil Nadu. Traditional music, dance and all other art forms of Tamil Nadu are very popular in the city. One can find a unique blend of culture from traditional foods to fast foods, from ancient temple architecture to modern high-rises and from classical music and dance to the growing nightlife in the city. Popularly called as the Manchester of South India, the city is known for its industries and has developed a reputation for entrepreneurship.[1] [2]

Music and arts

The city conducts its own music festival every year.[3] Art, dance and music concerts are held annually during the months of September and December (Tamil calendar month – Margazhi).[4] The heavy industrialisation of the city has also resulted in the growth of trade unions.[5] Swamikannu Vincent, who had built the first cinema of south India in Coimbatore, introduced the concept of Tent Cinema in which a tent was erected on an open land to screen the films.[6] [7] Central Studios was set up in 1935 while S. M. Sriramulu Naidu established Pakshiraja Studios in 1945.[8] Coimbatore also houses a number of museums and art galleries like G.D. Naidu Museum & Industrial Exhibition, H A Gass Forest Museum, Government Museum, Kadhi Gandhi Gallery and Kasthuri Srinivasan Art Gallery and Textile Museum.[9] [10]

People

The city's population is predominantly Hindu, along with a small group of Muslim[11] population. Christians, Sikhs and Jains are also present in small numbers.[12] [13] [14] Coimbatore also has a large number of Telugus,[15] Kannadigas, Malayalis,[16] [17] [18] mainly from Palakkad and North Indians,[19] mainly Gujaratis,[20] who are engaged in trade and commerce. During the 1970s the city witnessed a population explosion as a result of migration fueled by increased economic growth and job opportunities.[21] [22]

Places of worship

The Mariamman festivals at the city's numerous Mariamman temples are major events in summer.[23] There are numerous temples in and around the city popular among those include Major Hindu temples in the city include the Perur Patteeswarar Temple,[24] Naga Sai Mandir,[25] [26] Koniamman Temple, Thandu Mariamman Temple,[27] Eachanari Vinayagar Temple,[28] [29] Puliakulam Temple,[30] Marudamalai Murugan Temple,[31] Loga Nayaga Shaniswara Temple,[32] [33] Ashtamsa Varadha Anjaneyar Temple,[34] Masani Amman Temple,[35] Karamadai Ranganathar Temple,[36] Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple and Adiyogi Shiva.[37] The mosques on Oppanakara Street and Big Bazaar Street date back to the 18th century CE.[38] Christian missions date back to the 17th century when permission was granted by the Nayak rulers to set up churches in the region.[39] Sikh Gurudwaras and Jain temples are also present in Coimbatore.[40]

Cuisine

See also: Tamil cuisine. Coimbatore cuisine is predominantly south Indian with rice as its base. Most local restaurants still retain their rural flavor, with many restaurants serving food over a banana leaf.[41] Eating on a banana leaf is an old custom and imparts a unique flavor to the food and is considered healthy.[42] North Indian, Chinese and continental cuisines are also available. Idly, dosa, paniyaram and appam are popular dishes.[43] [44] [45] [46]

Coimbatore has an active street food culture and various cuisine options for dining. Arisi paruppu sadam and sambar sadam, made from a mixture of dal and rice, is a recipe that existed from the 4th century CE that is unique to the area. Ariseemparuppu or arisi paruppu satham (literally translated as Rice and dal) originated from Coimbatore and the people of the city celebrate January 8 as national Aruseemparuppu day, after given light by a popular influencer and food consultant.[47] Kaalaan is a popular dish prepared by simmering deep-fried mushrooms (usually chopped) in a spicy broth until it reaches a porridge-like consistency; the dish is served sprinkled with chopped onions and coriander leaves.[48] [49] Chaats made from potatoes and a mix of other vegetables and spices are also popular.[50]

Language

Tamil is the official language and Kongu Tamil (also called Kangee or Kongalam), a dialect, is predominantly spoken.[51] The speciality of Kongu Tamil is the use of the alveolar ற – Tra/Dra (as in the English word track) instead of retroflex T/D (ட) of standard Tamil. For example, 'ennuDaya' (mine) of standard Tamil is pronounced enRa in the Kongu dialect. Additionally the use of guttural nasal (ங்) that sounds "ng" as in the English word Gang, is more prevalent in Kongu Tamil, leading to situations where the grammar of Kongu Tamil would not fit into the grammar of standard Tamil (as laid down in authoritative treatises like Tolkappiyam and Nannool). One of the examples is the use of ங் to end a word like வாங் "vaang", means 'come' expressed in a respectful tone, which in standard Tamil would be "vaanga".[52] Coimbatore also has a significant number of Telugus,[53] Kannada,[54] Malayalis,[55] [56] [57] and North Indians mainly Gujaratis.,[19] [58] As per the 2011 census, Tamil is the most spoken language with 710,326 speakers, followed by Telugu (173,136),Kannada (102,000), Malayalam (76,485). Other languages spoken in the city include Urdu (15,484) and Hindi (13,608).[59] [54] [60]

Festivals

Being a cosmopolitan city, almost all major festivals like Deepavali, Eid and Christmas are celebrated here. Thai Pongal, celebrated in the month of January, is an important festival of and is celebrated over a period of five days. Puthandu signifying the beginning of the Tamil calendar usually falls in April and is celebrated widely. Onam is also celebrated with much fanfare due to a considerable Malayali immigrant population. Koniamman Temple car festival is celebrated in the month of March each year.[61] Perur Pateeswarar Temple car festival is celebrated in the month of March each year and seedling planting festival is celebrated each year in the month of June.[62] [63] Vinayagar Chathurthi is celebrated in major temples such as Puliakulam Vinayagar Temple and Eachanari Vinayagar Temple.[64] Thaipusam is another major festival celebrated in Murugan temples.[65] Aravan Festival is celebrated as a "Community Reconciliation Festival" in various areas.

Notes and References

  1. News: Is Coimbatore the next BPO city?. 23 June 2010. CNBC-TV18. 5 July 2008.
  2. News: German state keen to share expertise with Coimbatore . 23 June 2010. Business Line. 22 June 2007.
  3. News: Some music lovers still travel to Chennai for cultural overdoze . . 14 December 2011.
  4. News: In December, all the city's a stage . https://archive.today/20120719000313/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-14/coimbatore/30515339_1_concerts-offer-coimbatore-artistes . dead . 19 July 2012 . . 14 December 2011.
  5. News: A time of troubles. 23 June 2010. Frontline. 7 March 1998. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607060308/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1505/15050170.htm. 7 June 2011. usurped.
  6. News: He brought cinema to South. The Hindu. 26 September 2011. Chennai, India. 30 April 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120202215242/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/04/30/stories/2010043051340400.htm. 2 February 2012.
  7. News: Brahmanyan . . 21 July 2007 . 4 March 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150630202911/http://o3.indiatimes.com/brahmanyan/archive/2007/09/21/4783241.aspx . 30 June 2015 . dmy-all .
  8. News: Reel-time nostalgia. M. Allirajan. The Hindu. 17 November 2003. Chennai, India. 4 March 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121109071506/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/11/17/stories/2003111700890100.htm. 9 November 2012.
  9. News: The natural witness. The Hindu. 19 October 2009. 4 March 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107222546/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/10/19/stories/2009101950030100.htm. 7 November 2012.
  10. News: Gass Forest Museum to be reopened. The Hindu. 21 January 2007. 8 August 2010.
  11. Web site: Indian Muslim Population Data . https://web.archive.org/web/20090105194116/http://www.aicmeu.org/Muslim_Population_Distribution_in_India.htm . dead . 5 January 2009. Aicmeu.org . 31 January 2013.
  12. Web site: Primary Census Abstract – Census 2001 . Directorate of Census Operations – Tamil Nadu . . 14 June 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110217153857/http://census2001.tn.nic.in/pca2001.aspx . 17 February 2011 .
  13. News: KMK plans to overcome casteist tag . https://web.archive.org/web/20090606113031/http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/20/stories/2009052054210500.htm. dead. 6 June 2009. 23 June 2010. . 20 May 2009.
  14. News: Roots of capital. 23 June 2010. Frontline. 5 July 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20100623101613/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2514/stories/20080718251407800.htm. 23 June 2010. usurped.
  15. The 1971 census puts Telugu speakers at 22.95% of the total population. Book: Census of India, 1971: Tamil Nadu. 10 November 2011. ((India. Office of the Registrar General, K. Chockalingam)). Manager of Publications. 1979.
  16. Some estimates put it as high as 40% or at 300,000. News: Rajan. M.C. It's passion for the mother tongue not chauvinism. 23 April 2011. India Today. 7 February 2010.
  17. News: Majority should protect the minority. 23 June 2010. The Hindu. 4 October 2009.
  18. News: Keralites' wishes take flight on Paramount's wings. 23 June 2010. The Indian Express. 8 November 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20120128162808/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/keralites-wishes-take-flight-on-paramounts-wings/383037/. 28 January 2012. dead.
  19. News: Residential space: Coimbatore spins a growth story. 23 June 2010. The Economic Times. 17 January 2010.
  20. News: Providing quality education . https://web.archive.org/web/20080105075841/http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/24/stories/2006092404010200.htm. dead. 5 January 2008. 23 June 2010. . 24 September 2006.
  21. Web site: Site Suitability Analysis using GIS for Coimbatore City. Elangovan. K. GIS Development. September 2005. 21 May 2010.
  22. Book: Urban labour market structure and job access in India: a study of Coimbatore. 1990. International Institute for Labour Studies. 978-92-9014-468-7. 4–7.
  23. News: Rajagopuram for Kovai Koniamman temple too. The Indian Express. 2 March 2010. 4 March 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093640/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/article253830.ece. 4 March 2016.
  24. News: Rich in history and architecture. 27 May 2005. Suryanarayanan. R. The Hindu. 9 March 2016.
  25. Book: R, Balapattabi. 1 August 2006. Nectarine Leelas of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba . Sai Towers. 108. 978-81-7899-009-5.
  26. Book: N, Kasthuri. 16 April 2014. Sathyam Shivam Sundaram – Volume 1. Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust. 978-93-5069-170-0.
  27. News: Traffic diversions for temple festival tomorrow. The Hindu. 21 April 2014. 4 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161222000807/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/traffic-diversions-for-temple-festival-tomorrow/article7124256.ece. 22 December 2016.
  28. Web site: About us, Eachanari Vinayagar Temple. 9 March 2016. Government of Tamil Nadu. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309202018/http://www.eachanarivinayagar.tnhrce.in/contactus.html. 9 March 2016.
  29. News: Eachanari Vinayagar Temple. 9 March 2016. ta. Dinamalar. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309192245/http://temple.dinamalar.com/New.php?id=688. 9 March 2016.
  30. Book: Knapp, Stephen. Spiritual India Handbook. Jaico Publishing House. 2009. 978-81-8495-024-3. 428–30.
  31. News: Domestic tourism flourishes in Coimbatore district. Subburaj. A. Times of India. 27 September 2015. 9 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160612073124/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Domestic-tourism-flourishes-in-Coimbatore-district/articleshow/49123082.cms. 12 June 2016.
  32. News: Shani peyarchi celebrated in Shiva temples. https://archive.today/20141218083010/http://epaper.dailythanthi.com/showxml.aspx?id=16502117&code=1563. dead. 18 December 2014. ta. 9 March 2016. 16 December 2014. Dina Thanthi.
  33. News: Shani peyarchi celebrated in Puliakulam temple. ta. 9 March 2016. 17 December 2014. Dinamani. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160310180851/http://epaper.dinamani.com/397254/Dinamani-Coimbatore/17122014#page/3/2. 10 March 2016.
  34. News: Sri Ashtamsa Varadha Anjaneyar Temple. Dinamalar. ta. 29 March 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101255/http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=475. 2 April 2015.
  35. News: Rangaswamy. Sudhakshina. Transformation of the inner Self. 4 June 2011. The Hindu. 25 July 2003. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121109234053/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2003/07/25/stories/2003072501630600.htm. 9 November 2012.
  36. Book: M., Rajagopalan. 15 Vaishnava Temples of Tamil Nadu. 89–95. Govindaswamy Printers. Chennai, India. 1993.
  37. News: 'Aadiyogi bust' declared world's largest by Guinness Book of World. Hindustan Times. 12 May 2017. 12 May 2017.
  38. Book: Baliga, B.S.. Madras District Gazetteers: Coimbatore. 1966. Superintendent, Government Press.
  39. Book: Hiltebeitel, Alf. When the Goddess was a Woman. 388. 2011. BRILL. 978-90-04-19380-2.
  40. News: This road leads to Kovai's only gurdwara. 30 March 2014. The Times of India. 4 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161003095329/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/This-road-leads-to-Kovais-only-gurdwara/articleshow/32940179.cms. 3 October 2016.
  41. Web site: Serving on a banana leaf . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160114232758/http://www.iskconhighertaste.com/served-on-a-banana/ . 14 January 2016 . 1 January 2016 . ISCKON .
  42. Web site: The Benefits of Eating Food on Banana Leaves. India Times. 9 March 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160307041415/http://www.indiatimes.com/health/healthyliving/the-benefits-of-eating-food-on-banana-leaves-242512.html. 7 March 2016.
  43. News: Snack Street combines taste of street food with hygiene of restaurant. The Hindu. 19 July 2013. 4 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161221211858/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/snack-street-combines-taste-of-street-food-with-hygiene-of-restaurant/article4930415.ece. 21 December 2016.
  44. Book: Achaya, K.T.. The story of our food. 1 November 2003 . Universities Press. 978-81-7371-293-7. 80.
  45. News: Changes in the Indian menu over the ages . . 21 October 2014 . Balasubramanian . D . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160414204643/http://www.thehindu.com/seta/2004/10/21/stories/2004102100111600.htm . 14 April 2016 .
  46. News: Kovakkai, Kongunadu and Quizzing. The Hindu. 3 February 2011. 1 October 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20151017031055/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/kovakkai-kongunadu-and-quizzing/article1152872.ece. 17 October 2015.
  47. News: Taste some cuisine from Kongunadu. Times of India. Rema. Nagarajan. 26 March 2011. 14 May 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170809003636/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food/food-reviews/Taste-some-cuisine-from-Kongunadu/articleshow/6067619.cms. 9 August 2017.
  48. News: A rainy day. The Hindu. 2 November 2012. Kannadasan. Akila. 7 March 2016.
  49. News: A taste of tradition. The Hindu. 27 May 2013. 1 October 2015. Nath. Parthasarathy. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161221223236/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Food/a-taste-of-tradition/article4756166.ece. 21 December 2016.
  50. Web site: Street Food in Coimbatore, 10 Best Food Places in Coimbatore – Treebo. 17 December 2017. Treebo Blog. en-US. 2019-05-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20190525162545/https://www.treebo.com/blog/street-food-in-coimbatore/. 25 May 2019. live.
  51. Book: Silva, Severine. In the southern part of Mysore the Tamil language is at this day named the Kangee, from being best known to them as the language of the people of Kangiam. Toponomy of Canara. 34. 1963. University of Michigan.
  52. Book: Tamil̲umaiṅakilēcumāyirukakir̲a akarāti. Poezold. F. Simpson. William. Oxford University. 2nd. 1809.
  53. Book: Chockalingam, K. Census of India, 1971: Tamil Nadu. Government of India. 1979. 88–89.
  54. News: Kannadigas outnumber Malayalis 2:1 in Tamil Nadu. The Times of India. 2008-11-25.
  55. News: Rajan. M.C.. It's passion for the mother tongue not chauvinism. 23 April 2011. India Today. 7 February 2010. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110415005516/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/It%27s+passion+for+the+mother+tongue+not+chauvinism/1/82836.html. 15 April 2011.
  56. News: Majority should protect the minority. 23 June 2010. The Hindu. 4 October 2009. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20151017031054/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/article28748.ece. 17 October 2015.
  57. News: Keralites' wishes take flight on Paramount's wings. 23 June 2010. The Indian Express. 8 November 2008. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160308080730/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/keralites--wishes-take-flight-on-paramount-s-wings/383037/. 8 March 2016.
  58. News: Providing quality education. 23 June 2010. The Hindu. 24 September 2006. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110117155617/http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/24/stories/2006092404010200.htm. 17 January 2011.
  59. https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16_Town.html 2011 Census of India, Population By Mother Tongue
  60. Book: Urban labour market structure and job access in India: a study of Coimbatore. 1990. International Institute for Labour Studies, Centre for Development Studies, University of East Anglia. 978-92-9014-468-7. 4–7. John. Harriss. Kappadath Parameswara. Kannan. Gerry. Rodgers.
  61. News: 9 February 2020. Koniamman car festival. Thamizhe. 15 February 2021. 21 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210221175537/https://tamilinews.com/spirituality/covai-koniyamman-kovil-festivel-first-importance-devendrakulavelalar-community/471/. dead.
  62. Web site: பேரூர் பட்டீசுவரர் கோவில் தேரோட்டம்: ஆயிரக்கணக்கான பக்தர்கள் தரிசனம் . 19 March 2019 . 23 January 2022 . 20 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201020100033/https://www.maalaimalar.com/Devotional/DevotionalTopNews/2019/03/19094531/1232974/perur-pateeswarar-kovil-therottam.vpf . dead .
  63. News: 20 June 2018. Seedling Planting Festival at Perur Pateeswarar Temple in Coimbatore. Maalai Malar. 31 March 2021. 23 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220123120019/https://www.maalaimalar.com/devotional/devotionaltopnews/2018/06/20085626/1171330/perur-patteeswarar-temple-festival.vpf. dead.
  64. News: Puliakulam temple background. 13 September 2018. The Tamil Samayam. 20 July 2021.
  65. News: Thai Poosam celebrated with fervourt. The Hindu. 4 February 2015. 9 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161222000803/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/thai-poosam-celebrated-with-fervour/article6854491.ece. 22 December 2016.

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