Tamil Thai[a] (alternatively spelled Tamil Tai or Thamizh Thai), known in English as Mother Tamil, refers to the allegorical and sometimes anthropomorphic personification of the Tamil language as a mother.[2] This temple located in Karaikudi. This allegory of the Tamil language in the persona of a mother was established during the Tamil renaissance movement of the latter half of the nineteenth century.[3] The concept became popular in the Tamil-speaking world after the publication of a song invoking and praising Tamil mother in a play titled, "Manonmaniyam", written by Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai (1855 – 1897) and published in 1891. Under the auspices of the DMK, the Tamil Thai Valthu, with music composed by M.S. Viswanathan, has since been adopted as the state song of the Government of Tamil Nadu.[4]
- ^ Sumathi Ramaswamy. "When a Language Becomes a Mother/Goddess An Image Essay on Tamil". Tasveer Ghar. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
- ^ Pandian, Jacob (1987). Caste, Nationalism and Ethnicity: An Interpretation of Tamil Cultural History and Social Order. Popular Prakashan. p. 66. ISBN 978-0-86132-136-0.
- ^ Vijaya Ramaswamy (2007). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Scarecrow Press. p. 266. ISBN 9780810864450. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ Palanithurai, G. (2005). Ethnic Identity and National Loyalty of an Ethnic Group: A Case Study of Tamil Nadu. Concept Publishing Company. p. 82. ISBN 978-81-8069-144-7.
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