This blog is all about the significance of Tamil language, and the benefits that you could avail by learning the language.

Tamil is spoken by more than 80 million people round the globe and is a widespread language. It is the national language of Sri Lanka and Singapore, and is prominently spoken in other countries like Malaysia, Fiji, Mauritius, and South Africa. Conversing in Tamil is the integral part of our lives

The blog is an answer to what are the benefits of studying Tamil? What is so special about Tamil? How fast can you learn Tamil? Is learning Tamil easy? and many more. 

Bharathidasan, an eminent tamil poet beautifully describes the attributes of the Tamil language through these poetic lines. 

தமிழுக்கும் அமுதென்று பேர்

அந்த தமிழ் இன்பத் தமிழ் எங்கள் உயிருக்கு நேர், உயிருக்கு நேர்

தமிழுக்கு நிலவென்று பேர்!

இன்பத் தமிழ் எங்கள் சமுகத்தின் விளைவுக்கு நீர்.

தமிழுக்கு மணமென்று பேர்!

இன்பத் தமிழ் எங்கள் வாழ்வுக்கு நிருமித்த ஊர்.

தமிழுக்கு மதுவென்று பேர்!

இன்பத் தமிழ் எங்கள் உரிமைச்செம் பயிருக்கு வேர்!

Here he metaphorically calls Tamil as nectar, moon, honey and fragrance. Tamil is inscribed in our souls inside out. Tamil nurtures the culture and heritage of the society and acts as an anchor that holds people together.

Learning Tamil strengthens the bond with Tamil people

People stand diversified on different grounds. Though it is a true fact that religion, caste, creed, race, customs and beliefs separates people, a common language has the potential to sort out the issues and to bring them together. Learning Tamil and being able to converse in it avoids petty squabbles that happen between people who know the language and those who don’t know the language. Also, speaking a common language is proven to nurture oneness and strengthen the identity. Language serves the society as a whole equally.

‘தமிழன் என்று சொல்லடா.. தலை நிமிர்ந்து நில்லடா..’

Learning Tamil helps navigate during travel

To be able to connect with the native people while travelling is a great boon and befriending strangers is a great pleasure. Communicating better with the natives and being able to express ourselves clearly gives a better travel experience. Tamil speakers are widespread, and Tamil speaking immigrants are spread across Canada, Myanmar, Mauritius, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, United States , Great Britain, Australia, countries in Europe and in South Africa. It is the official language of the Indian state of Tamilnadu and the union territory of Puducherry. It is important that you learn Tamil to be able to converse fluently in Tamil before visiting these places. 

Tamilnadu is a home to temples, forts and scriptures of historical significance. It has numerous beautiful spots to visit. Ooty, Kodaikanal, Nilgris are serene locations. Chennai is a metropolitan city. Scriptures and rock works in Temples of Tamilnadu are real master-pieces. Cuisines from Tamilnadu are lip-smacking and utterly delicious, and the food items form an essential part of Tamil tradition. The arusuvai unavu is heavenly. Rice with sambar, rasam, curd along with poriyal, avial, kootu, sweets, crunchy papad and vada payasam takes you out of the world. Never miss these tasty foods when you get an opportunity to travel. 

Learning Tamil helps you build an connection to Tamil culture

Learning Tamil can help you establish a connection to Tamil culture and lineage to its rich heritage. Learning a mother language is crucial when it comes to shaping a person’s psychological development, thoughts, emotions and personality. The Tamil language acts as an anchor to pass on the Tamil values, laws and cultural norms. If you have wondered how old is the Tamil language, its origin dates back to 5000 years? Astonishing! Isn’t it?

We call it Tamil marabu, தமிழ் மரபு.  கலாச்சாரம், பாரம்பரியம், பண்பாடு i.e. culture, tradition, and custom are the wealth of any society. This is particularly significant for the Tamil clan as it holds a wide range of cultural ethnicity. 

Understanding the Tamil Nattupuraviyal and Tamilian culture

Our forefathers and ancient Tamilians used Tamil language as a mode to take their emotions, creations and every other aspect of lives through poetry called nattupura padalgal and nattupura kathai padalgal. These are called folklore in English. These art forms can be verbal or non-verbal.

• வாய்மொழி வழக்கு (verbal art forms)- நாட்டுப்புற பாடல்கள் 
• வாய்மொழி சாரா வழக்கு (non-verbal art forms)
• நிகழ்த்துக்கலை பண்பாடு – These are related to religious practices. People read out Bible, Bhagavad Gita, Quran etc in Tamil
• சமூக பழக்க வழக்கங்கள் 
• பொருள் – Material culture.
• வித்தைகள், பாட்டு ஆட்டங்கள்- அண்ணன்மார் சுவாமிகள் கதை, கண்ணகியாண்ட கதை.

People of Tamil Nadu worshipped Peru deiva valipadu (பெரு தெய்வ வழிபாடு) and siru deiva valipadu (சிறு தெய்வ வழிபாடு) or collectively panja budha valipadu (பஞ்ச பூத வழிபாடு). Some songs are rendered on a daily basis while others are sung occasionally during festivals and when they play countryside games like pandi, goli, nondi, kabadi, ammanai (a board game played by women), pallanguli, kanna mochi (hide and seek) and others. These games can improve the mental skills, thinking capacity, intellectual quotient, and improve physical fitness. These are exciting too. Thalattu padalgal (lullaby), kondatta padalgal are sung while celebrating the happenings in life and sadangu padalgal are sung in functions. These songs duly reflect culture.

Learning the Nattupura Kathaigal

Nattupura kathaigal is another form of fables and tales which has Tamil language as its origin. These are usually recited by grandparents to their grandchildren. They are very interesting and amusing to read as well as to hear from others. One must learn Tamil to get an opportunity to hear and contemplate these. The stories revolve around human-related themes, animals, deities, epics, mantra-tantra, and others involving multiple characters. If you are looking forward to know how old is the Tamil language, the answer lies in its entirety – from hymns, scriptures, songs, stories and so on. 

To experience the art of learning Tamil literature

Jayakanthan, Ashokamithran, Kalki, Sujatha, Janakiram are extraordinary and notable writers from Tamil literature. Idhu Siragugalin neram by Abdul Rahman is a noteworthy book that is a must-read. Poems from Bharathiyar, Bharathidasan, Kambar, Avvaiyar, Thiruvalluvar are value loaded and moral rich. 

Aimperum kappiyangal are historic literature pieces which reflect the agam, puram, inbam, veedu of Tamil people. Aimperum kappiyangal include Silappadikaram, Manimegalai, Seevaga Sindhamani, Kundalakesi and Valayapathi. Ponniyin Selvan is a classic historical fiction by Kalki Krishnamurthy. These books are the gems of Tamil literature and one must learn Tamil to be able to perceive the literature. 

To watch fabulous Tamil movies and listen to Tamil songs

Tamil film Industry has in it enormous good films which are a must watch. There are fantastic films of almost all genres. Thrillers, action, romance, horror and what not. Tamil songs are heart touching and soulful. Compositions by musicians like A R Rahman, Ilayaraja are so divine and mellifluous. It vibes better when you can actually understand the meaning within the movies and songs. Learn Tamil to make movie watching movies fun, and a wonderful experience. 

How fast can you learn Tamil? 

Tamil is a very understandable language. Learning Tamil takes about one month to three months. It depends on the learning capacity of a person. The answer to this commonly asked question is that, yes, it is. Tamil comparatively has simplified and structured grammar. It is not hard to learn Tamil. 

Learn Tamil anywhere anytime

How to learn Tamil quickly?  Learn Tamil online from reputed and trusted sources. Learn diligently and meticulously to master the language. Learn Tamil through English from Powerkid Tamil.

Online Tamil classes at Powerkid Tamil Academy is a handy solution to learn Tamil online from the comfort of your home. Powerkid Tamil offers a flexible and customised schedule to make Tamil learning easy and hassle-free. Sign up to our Tamil online classes at www.powerkidtamil.com to learn Tamil through English. Speak with us at  +1 (512) 575-3590 or +91 74033 33135 and get tips on how to learn Tamil quickly.