South India

{{Redirect|South Indian}} {{Use British English|date=November 2011}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2011}} '''South India''' is the area encompassing [[India]]'s states of [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]] and [[Tamil Nadu]] as well as the [[Union territories of India|union territories]] of [[Lakshadweep]] and [[Pondicherry]], occupying 19.31% of India's area. The region is also known as '''Dravida''' as is used in the [[Jana Gana Mana|National anthem]]. South India lies in the [[peninsula]]r [[Deccan Plateau]] and is bounded by the [[Arabian Sea]] in the west, the [[Indian Ocean]] in the south and the [[Bay of Bengal]] in the east. The geography of the region is diverse, encompassing two mountain ranges, the [[Western Ghats|Western]] and [[Eastern Ghats]], and a plateau heartland. The [[Godavari River|Godavari]], [[Krishna River|Krishna]], [[Tungabhadra River|Tungabhadra]] and [[Kaveri River|Kaveri]] rivers are important non-[[Perennial stream|perennial]] sources of water. A majority of Indians from the southern region speak one of the [[Dravidian languages]]: [[Kannada]], [[Malayalam]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tulu language|Tulu]], and [[Kodava language|Kodava]]. During its [[History of South India|history]], a number of dynastic kingdoms ruled over parts of South India whose invasions across [[South Asia|southern]] and [[Southeast Asia|southeastern]] [[Asia]] impacted the history and cultures of modern [[sovereign states]] such as [[Sri Lanka]], [[Singapore]], the [[Philippines]], [[Indonesia]], [[Thailand]] and [[Malaysia]]. The region was [[British East India|colonised]] by [[United Kingdom|Britain]] and gradually incorporated into the [[British Empire]]. After experiencing fluctuations in the decades immediately after [[Indian independence movement|Indian independence]], the economies of South Indian states have registered higher than national average growth over the past three decades. While South Indian states have improved in some [[socio-economics|socio-economic]] metrices, economic disparity, illiteracy and poverty continue to affect the region much like the rest of the country. Agriculture is the single largest contributor to the regional [[net domestic product]], while Information technology is a rapidly growing industry. Literary and architectural styles, evolved over two thousand years, differ from other parts of the country. Politics in South India is dominated by smaller regional political parties rather than by national political parties. South India ranks the highest in terms of social and economic development in areas such as [[fertility rate]] and infrastructure; the fertility rate of South India is 1.9, the lowest of all regions in India. ==Etymology== Apart from the English language terms ''South India'' and ''Peninsular India'', southern India has been known by several other historic names. [[Adi Shankara]] coined the name ''Dravida'' in the 8th century as he called himself ''Dravida Shishu'', meaning a child from South India (see etymology of [[Dravidian peoples#Etymology|Dravida]]). The term ''Deccan'', an Anglicized form of the word "Dakhhin" which is a derived from the word ''dakshina'' meaning south, refers only to the area covered by the [[Deccan Plateau]], a volcanic [[plateau]] that covers most of peninsular India excluding the coastal areas. ''The Carnatic'' is an English term derived from ''"Karnād"'' or ''"Karunād"'', meaning ''high country''. The terms ''Karnād'' and ''Carnatic'' have long overgrown particular association with the plateau and refer to all of South India, including the coasts, the western of which is named the Carnatic coast. The name ''Karnātaka'' is derived from the same root. ==History== {{Main|History of South India}} {{See also|Middle kingdoms of India|History of India}} [[File:Stone carved Lord Ganapati at Dharalingeshwara temple near Atchutapuram of Visakhapatnam Dist in Andhra Pradesh.jpg|thumb|Stone carved Lord [[Ganapati]] at Dharalingeshwara temple near Atchutapuram of [[Visakhapatnam]] Dist in [[Andhra Pradesh]]]] [[File:Big Temple-Temple.jpg|thumb|The [[Brihadeeswarar Temple]] in [[Thanjavur]], in the state of [[Tamil Nadu]].]] [[Image:Belur4.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Hoysala Empire]] sculptural articulation in [[Belur]]]] [[Image:1800 Faden Rennell Wall Map of India - Geographicus - India-faden-1795.jpg|thumb|right|150px|1800 [[James Rennell]] map of Southern Indian and Ceylon, showing color coded political territories, military campaigns of the British East India Company, and the acquisitions of the company through the 1792 [[Treaty of Seringapatam]]]] [[Carbon dating]] on ash mounds associated with [[neolithic]] cultures in Southern India date back to 8000 BCE. Artefacts such as ground stone axes, and minor copper objects have been found in the region. Towards the beginning of 1000 BCE, [[Iron Age|iron technology]] spread through the region; however, there does not appear to be a fully developed [[Bronze Age]] preceding the Iron Age in South India. South India was a crossroads of the ancient world, linking the [[Mediterranean]] and the Far East. The southern coastline from [[Karwar]] to [[Kodungallur]] was the most important trading shore in the Indian subcontinent resulting in intermingling between locals and traders. The South Indian [[Malabar Coast]] and the people of the [[Sangam period|Sangam]] age traded with the [[Graeco-Roman]] world. They were in contact with the [[Phoenicians]], [[Ancient Rome|Romans]], [[Greeks]], [[Arabs]], [[Demographics of Syria|Syrians]], Jews, and Chinese. Traditionally the South Indian coastline along the Arabian Sea was described as a part of ''Sapta Konkan'' referring to the diverse regions along [[Coastal South West India|coastal south west India]]. There were several significant rulers and dynasties in southern Indian history. Dynasties such as [[Chera dynasty|Chera]]s, [[Cholas]], [[Pallavas]], [[Pandyas]], the [[Satavahanas]] of [[Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh|Amaravati]], [[Kadambas]] of Banavasi, [[Western Ganga Dynasty]], [[Chalukya dynasty]] of Badami, [[Western Chalukyas]], [[Eastern Chalukya]], [[Hoysalas]], [[Kakatiya dynasty]], and [[Rashtrakuta]]s of Manyaketha have ruled over South India. The late [[Islamic empires in India|medieval period]] saw the rise of Muslim power in South India. The defeat of the [[Kakatiya dynasty]] of [[Warangal]] by [[Tughlaq]] forces of the [[Delhi Sultanate]] in 1323 CE heralded a new chapter in South Indian history. The struggle of the period was between the [[Bahmani Sultanate]] based in [[Gulbarga]] (and later, [[Bidar]]) and the [[Vijayanagara|Vijayanagara Empire]] with its capital in Vijayanagara in modern [[Hampi]]. With the fall of Vijayanagara and the break-up of the Bahmani sultanate, the [[Qutb Shahi]] dynasty of [[Golconda]] and Hyderabad became the dominant power in the region. Qutb Shahi dominance of the region continued until the middle of the seventeenth century, when the [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]] under [[Aurangzeb]] made determined inroads into the Deccan. Following Aurangzeb’s death, Mughal power weakened, and South Indian rulers gained autonomy from Delhi. The [[Wodeyar]] kingdom of [[Mysore]], the [[Asaf Jahis]] of Hyderabad, and [[Maratha]]s all gained power. [[Image:Hyderabad india .jpg|thumb|right|[[Charminar]] at Hyderabad]] In the middle of the eighteenth century, the French and the British initiated a protracted struggle for military control of South India. Shifting alliances between the two European powers and the local powers marked the period with mercenary armies being employed by all sides causing general anarchy in South India. As the British consolidated power over much of India in the late 1850s, they allowed the French to retain their possessions over Pondicherry. The four [[Anglo-Mysore wars]] and the three [[Anglo-Maratha Wars]] saw Mysore, Pune and Hyderabad allying themselves with the British or the French. South India during the British colonial rule was divided into the [[Madras Presidency]] and [[Hyderabad State|Hyderabad]], [[Kingdom of Mysore|Mysore]], [[Thiruvithamcoore]] (also known as Travancore), [[Kingdom of Kochi|Kochi]] (also known as Cochin or ''Perumpadapu Swaroopam''), [[Vizianagaram]] and a number of other minor princely states. British Residents were stationed in the capitals of the important states to supervise and report on the activities of the rulers. The ''[[States Reorganisation Act]]'' (1956) created new states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu) by reorganising parts of British-era Madras State along linguistic lines. Additionally, the [[enclave]]s of [[French India]], which were ceded to India in the 1950s, were constituted into the union territory of [[Pondicherry]]. ==Geography== {{Main|Geography of South India}} [[Image:SivaSamudram.JPG|thumb|[[Shivanasamudra Falls]] on the [[Kaveri]] River near [[Mysore]].]] South India is a [[peninsula]] in the shape of a vast inverted triangle, bounded on the west by the [[Arabian Sea]], on the east by the [[Bay of Bengal]] and on the north by the [[Vindhya]] and [[Satpura]] ranges. The [[Narmada River|Narmada]] flows westwards in the depression between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. The Satpura ranges define the northern spur of the [[Deccan plateau]]. The [[Western Ghats]], along the western coast, mark another boundary of the plateau. The narrow strip of verdant land between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea is the [[Konkan]] region. The Western Ghats continue south, forming the [[Malenadu]] ([[Kanara|Canara]]) region along the Karnataka coast, and terminate at the [[Nilgiris (mountains)|Nilgiri]] mountains, an inward (easterly) extension of the Western Ghats. The Nilgiris run in a crescent approximately along the borders of Tamil Nadu with northern Kerala and Karnataka, encompassing the [[Palakkad District|Palakkad]] and [[Wayanad]] hills, and the [[Satyamangalam]] ranges, and extending on to the relatively low-lying hills of the [[Eastern Ghats]], on the western portion of the Tamil Nadu – [[Andhra Pradesh]] border. The [[Tirumala - Tirupati|Tirupati]] and [[Annamalai Hills|Annamalai]] hills form part of this range. The low lying [[coral]] islands of Lakshadweep are off the south-western coast of India. [[Sri Lanka]] lies off the south-eastern coast, separated from India by the [[Palk Strait]] and the chain of low sandbars and islands known as [[Rama's Bridge]]. The [[Andaman and Nicobar]] islands lie far off the eastern coast of India, near the [[Tenasserim]] coast of [[Burma]]. The southernmost tip of mainland India is at [[Kanyakumari (town)|Kanyakumari]] (Cape Comorin) on the Indian Ocean. The [[Deccan plateau]] is the vast elevated region bound by the C-shape defined by all these mountain ranges. No major elevations border the plateau to the east, and it slopes gently from the Western Ghats to the eastern coast. The plateau is watered by the east flowing [[Godavari River|Godavari]] and [[Krishna]] rivers. The other major rivers of the Deccan plateau are the [[Pennar]] and the [[Tungabhadra]], a major tributary of the Krishna. [[Vaigai]] and [[Thamirabarani River]] are major rivers which emerge from the southern part of the Western ghats, flow eastward and empty into the Bay of Bengal. The three major river deltas of South India, the Kaveri, the Godavari and the Krishna, are located along the Bay of Bengal. These major rivers provided irrigation to much of the land which provided food grain to Southern India. In particular the coastal detla regions traditionally constituted the ''rice bowls'' of South India. The region has a very [[tropical climate]] with the monsoons playing a major part. The [[monsoon|South – West Monsoon]] accounts for most of the rainfall in the region and much of it falls from about June to October. The south-west monsoon starts from Kerala during June and moves up towards the northern parts of India. [[Tamil Nadu]] and southeast Andhra Pradesh receive rains from the North – East Monsoon from about November to February. Much of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka has a distinct dry season from about October – May when there is not much rainfall. This region also experiences cooler nights from October to March while the days are pleasantly warm. In the northern parts of the region temperatures can fall below 10 degrees Celsius on occasions at night during this time. Days are very hot from March to June when temps can go over 40 degrees. The southern coastal region has an average minimum temperature of 20 degrees and maximum of 35 degrees. ==Flora and fauna== {{Main|Wildlife of Karnataka|Wildlife of Tamil Nadu|Wildlife of Kerala|List of birds of South India}} [[Image:Sea off Bangaram island, Lakshadweep.jpg|thumb|right|250 px|[[Bangaram Island]] in the [[Union territories of India|union territory of Lakshadweep]].]] There is a wide diversity of plants and animals in South India, resulting from its varied climates and geography. [[South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests|Deciduous forests]] are found along the Western Ghats while [[South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests|tropical dry forests]] and scrub lands [[Deccan thorn scrub forests]] are common in the interior Deccan plateau. The southern Western Ghats have high altitude rain forests called the [[South Western Ghats montane rain forests]]. The [[Malabar Coast moist forests]] are found on the coastal plains. The Western Ghats itself is a [[biodiversity hotspot]]. Some of India's famous protected areas are found in South India. These include [[Project Tiger]] reserves [[Periyar National Park]], [[Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve|Kalakad – Mundanthurai]] and [[Nagarjunsagar Wildlife Sanctuary|Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve]]. Important ecological regions of South India are the [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]], located at the conjunction of the borders of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the [[Nilgiri Hills]] including [[Mudumalai National Park]], [[Bandipur National Park]], [[Nagarhole National Park]] [[Silent Valley National Park]], [[Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary]] and Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary and the [[Anamalai Hills]] including the [[Eravikulam National Park]], [[Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary]] and the adjacent[[Indira Gandhi National Park|The Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park]] of the Western Ghats. Important bird sanctuaries including [[Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary]], [[Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary]], [[Neelapattu Sanctuary]] and Pulicat Sanctuary are home to numerous migratory and local birds. [[Image:Nilgiris scenic view.jpg|thumb|left|250 px|The [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]], one of the most important sancturies in India.]]Other protected ecological sites include the [[backwater (river)|backwater]]s like the [[Pulicat Lake]] in Andhra Pradesh, Pitchavarum in Tamil Nadu and the famed backwaters of Kerala formed by the [[Vembanad Lake]], the [[Ashtamudi Lake]] and the [[Kayamkulam Lake]]. Banana, ''Musaparadisiaca'' and ''[[Moringa oleifera]]'' are found extensively in Lakshadweep while [[coconut]] plantations provide economic support to the islands. Lashadweep has been declared a bird sanctuary by the [[Wildlife Institute of India]]. Crabs, chiefly [[hermit crab]]s, [[parrot fish]] and [[butterfly fish]] are also found on the islands.. ==Subdivisions== [[Image:South Indian territories.svg|thumb|right|Map of South Indian states prior to the ''States Reorganisation Act'' (1956).]] South India consists of the four southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the [[union territories]] of [[Pondicherry]] and the [[Lakshadweep]] [[archipelago]]. Together with Pondicherry, each South Indian state has an elected state government, while the Lakshadweep islands are [[Government of India|centrally]] administered by the [[President of India]]. The modern states of South India were created as a result of the ''States Reorganisation Act'' (1956), which established states and union territories based on linguistic boundaries. As a result of this act: * '''Andhra Pradesh''' was created with the merger of [[Andhra State]] with the Telugu-speaking districts of [[Hyderabad State]]. * '''Kerala''' was created with the merger of [[Malabar district]] and the [[Kasaragod taluk]] of [[South Canara]] district, [[Madras State]] with [[Travancore-Cochin State]]. * The existing [[Mysore State]] was reorganised and the districts of [[Bellary district|Bellary]] and [[South Canara]] (excluding [[Kasaragod]] taluk) and the [[Kollegal]] taluk of [[Coimbatore district]] from the then Madras State, the districts of [[Belgaum district|Belgaum]], [[Bijapur district, Karnataka|Bijapur]], [[North Canara]] and [[Dharwad district|Dharwad]] from [[Bombay State]], the Kannada-majority districts of Bidar, Raichur and Gulbarga in the then Hyderabad State and the province of Coorg were included in it. Mysore State was renamed as [[Karnataka]] in 1973. * The Union Territory of '''Pondicherry''' was created in 1954 comprising of the enclaves of [[Pondicherry]], [[Karaikal]], [[Yanam, French India|Yanam]] and [[Mahé, İndia|Mahé]] in [[French India]] * The Laccadive Islands which were divided between South Canara and Malabar districts of Madras State were united and organised into the union territory of [[Lakshadweep]]. * The remaining parts of '''Madras State''' were retained under the same administration with the same name. The state was subsequently renamed [[Tamil Nadu]] in 1968. Each subregion is further divided into [[Districts of India|districts]]; the region of South India has over 100 districts. Each state is headed by a Governor, who is a direct appointee of the President of India, while the [[Chief Minister]] is the elected head of the state government and represents the states ruling party or [[coalition government|coalition]] (the role of the Governor is largely [[ceremonial]]). ==Demographics== {{Main|Dravidian languages}} {{Dravidian languages genealogy}} The estimated population of South India is 233 million. The largest linguistic groups in South India include the [[Telugu people|Telugu]]s, [[Tamil people|Tamils]], [[Kannadiga]]s, [[Malayali]]s, [[Tuluva]]s and [[Kodava]]s. About 83% of South Indians follow [[Hinduism]]. Islam has the second-highest number of followers in the region, with 11%, while 5% follow Christianity. The average [[literacy rate]] of South India is approximately 73%, considerably higher than the Indian national average of 60%. Kerala leads the nation with a literacy rate of 92%. The [[human sex ratio|sex ratio]] in South India is fairly equable at 997; Kerala is the only state in India with a favourable sex ratio. The population density of the region is approximately 463. [[Scheduled Castes and Tribes]] form 18% of the population of the region. Agriculture is the major employer in the region – 47.5% of the population is involved in agrarian activities. About 60% of the population lives in permanent housing structures. 67.8% of South India has access to [[tap water]]. [[Water well|Well]]s and [[Spring (hydrosphere)|spring]]s are other major forms of water supply. The languages of South India are the Dravidian represented by Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu, besides [[Gondi language|Gondi]] and other minor dialects, and the Austro-Asiatic by the [[Munda languages]]. South India's predominant language family is [[Dravidian languages|Dravidian]], a [[language family|family]] of approximately seventy-three languages spoken in South Asia. The [[States Reorganisation Act]] of 1956 divided states in India along linguistic lines and led to the creation of separate states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, [[Kerala]] and [[Tamil Nadu]] in areas where Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil respectively were dominant. In the 2001 Census, [[Telugu language|Telugu]] had the third largest base of native speakers in India (74 million), after [[Hindi]] and [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and was awarded the status of classical language in 2008. Tamil was the first language to be accorded the status of [[classical language]] by the [[Government of India]] in 2002 and has about 60 million native speakersin India and over 10 million in other countries. Telugu has 75 million speakers and was awarded classical language status in 2008, Kannada with 38 million speakers was also awarded the status of classical language in 2008, while Malayalam has 33 million native speakers. Each of these languages is listed as an ''[[Official languages of India|official language]]'' of India, per the ''Official Languages Act'' (1963). [[Urdu]] is spoken by over half of the 25 million [[Indian Muslims|Muslims]] in southern India. South Indian Muslims in some regions of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka speak a [[dialect]] of Urdu called [[Dakhni]], while some in the [[Dakshina Kannada]] region of Karnataka and regions in Kerala speak ''[[Beary bashe]]''. Both Dakhni and ''Beary bashe'' are influenced by other South Indian languages. [[Tulu language|Tulu]], a Dravidian language prevalent in coastal Kerala and Karnataka, is spoken by about 1.5 million people in the region, while [[Konkani language|Konkani]], an [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan]] language, is spoken by over half a million people in the region. English is also widely spoken in urban areas of South India. ==Economy== {{Main|Economy of South India}} India's economy after [[Independence of India|independence]] in 1947 conformed to a socialist framework, with strict governmental control over [[private sector]] participation, [[foreign trade]] and [[foreign direct investment]] (FDI). Through 1960–1990, South Indian economies experienced mixed economic growth. In the 1960s, Kerala achieved above average economic growth, while Andhra Pradesh's economy declined during this period. Similarly, Kerala experienced economic decline in the 1970s while the economies of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka consistently exceeded national average growth rates after 1970. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were noted by some to be more [[Economic reforms in India|reform-oriented]] in terms of economic policy when compared to other Indian states. {|class="wikitable collapsible" style=" float: right;" ! colspan ="3"| Economic and demographic indicators |- ! style="width:50%;"| Parameter ! style="width:25%;"| South India ! style="width:25%;"| National |- |Per capita [[net domestic product|net state domestic product]] (SDP) |{{INRConvert|27027.75}} |{{INRConvert|23222}} |- |Percentage share in total [[foreign direct investment|FDI]] approved (1993–2003) |5.48 |NA |- |Average annual growth of SDP |5.6 |5.6 |- |Percentage of population below poverty line |17.41 |26.10 |- |Percentage of urban population |32.82 |27.81 |- |Percentage of households with electricity |89.32 |67.9 |- |[[Literacy rate]] |72.87 |61 |} Over 48% of South India's population is engaged in agriculture, which is largely dependent on seasonal [[monsoon]]s Some of the main crops cultivated in South India include [[Paddy field|paddy]], [[sorghum]], [[pearl millet]], pulses, [[sugarcane]], cotton, [[chile pepper|chilli]], and [[Finger millet|ragi]]. [[Areca]], coffee, tea, [[vanilla]], rubber, [[black pepper|pepper]], [[tapioca]], and [[cardamom]] are cultivated on the hills, while coconut grows in abundance in coastal areas. Andhra Pradesh is the largest producer of rice in India, while Karnataka produces 70% of India's coffee. Frequent droughts in northern Karnataka, [[Rayalaseema]] and [[Telangana]] have left farmers debt-ridden, forcing them to sell their livestock and sometimes even to commit suicide. The region also suffers from water scarcity, especially during summer. Since the liberalisation of the Indian economy, South India has seen a decrease in revenue from agriculture and agriculture related services. Traditionally, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have been home to large, [[public sector]] industries (referred to as [[Public Sector Undertaking]]s, or PSUs), with both states posting above average growth rates in this sector following economic liberalisation. [[Chennai]], the Detroit of South Asia, accounts for about 35% of India's overall automotive components while the registered headquarters of 39% of all Central PSUs in South India are located in Karnataka and 25% each in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, the growth of information technology (IT) hubs in the region have spurred economic growth and attracted foreign investments and job seekers from other parts of the country. Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad, the IT hubs of India are home to software giants. In [[fiscal year|fiscal]] 2006–2007, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka attracted the third and fourth highest total FDI approvals in India, respectively, totalling to over {{INRConvert|41700|c}} Software exports from South India grossed over {{INRConvert|64000|c}} in fiscal 2005–06. ==Politics== {{Main|Politics in South India}} Politics in South India is dominated by a mix of regional parties and larger national political parties like the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC), the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) and the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] (CPI(M)). With the exclusion of [[Karnataka]], each state has at least [[Two-party system|two parties]] dominating politics in that state.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} Pre-independence politics in the Madras Presidency was dominated by the [[Justice Party (India)|Justice Party]] and the Indian National Congress. [[Periyar Ramasami]] who started the [[Dravidian movement]] was elected leader of the [[Justice Party (India)|Justice Party]] in 1938 and in 1944 renamed it to [[Dravidar Kazhagam]], with its initial aim being the secession of ''[[Dravida Nadu]]'' from the rest of India on independence. Following independence, Periyar strongly believed that the party should not participate in elections in the newly created India, something his closest followers disagreed with. In 1948, [[C. N. Annadurai]], a follower of Periyar and a Joint Secretary of Dravidar Kazhagam parted ways with Periyar to form the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] political party. INC's political influence over Tamil Nadu gave way to the rise of the DMK which formed its first government in 1968 and again in 1978. The following year, a split in the DMK resulted in the formation of the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK), led by [[M. G. Ramachandran]]. Together, the AIADMK and the DMK currently command a 60% share in Tamil Nadu state elections. The main facets of state politics in Tamil Nadu included ''language'' – the distinction between Tamil and non-Tamil speakers was an important tool used by the DMK in the 1960s and ''caste'' – such as the [[Self-Respect Movement]]. The imposition of Hindi on non-Hindi speaking areas of India has often been a contentious issue in Tamil Nadu. In January–February 1965, large scale anti-Hindi agitations, a cause championed by the DMK, occurred in Tamil Nadu. In 1982, the establishment of the [[Telugu Desam Party]] in Andhra Pradesh by former Telugu actor [[Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao]] (NTR) broke the dominance of the INC in Andhra Pradesh politics. NTR successfully challenged the INC's supremacy in the state and his party was voted into power a total of four times. In 1996, a year after winning the state assembly election by a landslide, a dispute between NTR, his wife Lakshmi Parvati and his immediate family resulted in a split in the TDP. Concerned over undue influence over NTR and his policies, the bulk of the party favoured the family under the leadership of NTR's son-in-law, [[N Chandrababu Naidu]], who later became Chief Minister of the state. Naidu was regarded as a visionary who promoted the growth of information technology in the state. At present, INC and TDP are the major political contenders in the state. The [[Janata Dal]] has been far more successful in Karnataka than it has been in national politics. National political parties such as the BJP and INC have experienced more comparative success in Karnataka than they have in other states of South India. Karnataka's political environment is dominated by two rival caste groups – the [[Vokkaliga]]s and the [[Lingayat]]s. Kerala hosts two major political alliances: the [[United Democratic Front (India)|United Democratic Front]] (UDF, led by the [[Indian National Congress]]) and the [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]] (LDF, led by the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]]). Kerala numbers among India's most left-wing states. An interesting phenomenon of Kerala politics is the alternate election of Congress and the Communists to power. ==Culture and heritage== {{Main|Dravidian culture}} {{Main|South Indian culture}} [[Image:Tamil brahmin couple circa 1945.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Tamil people|Tamil]] couple ''c. 1945''; the wife is wearing a ''madisaru'' [[sari]].]] [[Image:Tirumalatemple.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]], A famous temple located in [[Tirumala - Tirupati|Tirupati]], Andhra Pradesh.]] [[File:Rock-cut Lord --Buddha-- Statue at Bojjanakonda near Anakapalle of Visakhapatnam dist in AP.jpg|thumb|Rock-cut Lord --Buddha-- Statue at Bojjanakonda near [[Anakapalle]] of [[Visakhapatnam]], Andhra Pradesh]] According to some experts, the ''[[weltanschauung]]'' of South Indians is essentially the celebration of the eternal [[universe]] through the celebration of the beauty of the body, and motherhood, which is exemplified through their dance, clothing, and sculptures. South Indian women traditionally wear the [[Saree]] while the men wear either a white ''[[pancha]]'' or a colourful ''[[lungi]]'' with typical [[batik]] patterns. Rice is the staple diet, while fish is an integral component of coastal South Indian meals. Coconut is an important ingredient in Kerala whereas [[Andhra cuisine|Andhra Pradesh cuisine]] is characterised by [[Pickling|pickles]] and spicy [[curry|curries]]. [[Hyderabadi cuisine]] a legacy of the past, is popular for its [[Hyderabadi biryani|Biryani]]. [[Dosa]], [[Idli]], [[Uttapam]] are popular throughout the region. There are large coffee estates in southern Karnataka and parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The traditional music of South India is known as [[Carnatic music]], which includes rhythmic and structured music by composers like [[Purandara Dasa]], [[Kanaka Dasa]], [[Tyagaraja]], [[Annamacharya]], [[Muthuswami Dikshitar]], [[Shyama Shastri]], [[Kshetrayya]], Subbaraya Shastri, [[Mysore Vasudevachar]] and [[Swathi Thirunal]]. The contemporary singer [[Dr. K. J. Yesudas]] is a cultural ambassador of Carnatic music.[[Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam]] is a cultural ambassador of carnatic instrumentals. The motion picture industry has emerged as an important platform in South India, over the years portraying the cultural changes, trends, aspirations and developments experienced by its people. Some movie classics like ''[[Nammukku paarkkaan munthiri thoppukal]]'' (1986) by [[Padmarajan]], ''[[Adi Shankara (movie)|Adi Shankara]]'' (1984) by director [[G V Iyer]], and ''[[Perumthachan]]'' (1990) by [[Ajayan (director)|Ajayan]] have gained worldwide acclaim. When it comes to cinema, due to the difference in languages compared to northern India, [[Bollywood]] does not have much of an audience in the region. Rather films in the language native to each state are dominant, this includes [[Tamil cinema]], [[Telugu cinema]], [[Malayalam cinema]] and [[Kannada cinema]]. South India is home to several distinct dance forms – the [[Koodiyattam]], [[Bharata Natyam|Bharatanatyam]], [[Kuchipudi]], [[Vilasini Natyam]], [[Kathakali]], [[Yakshagana]], [[Theyyam]], [[Ottamthullal]], [[Oppana]], [[Kerala Natanam]] and [[Mohiniaattam]]. South India has an independent literary tradition going back over 2500 years. The first known literature of South India are the poetic [[Sangam literature|Sangam]]s, which were written in Tamil between 2500 to 2100 years ago. These include the oldest South Indian epics of [[Silappatikaram]] and [[Manimekalai]] written in [[Tamil language|Tamil]]. Tamil Buddhist commentators of the tenth century CE ''Nemrinatham'' make references to Kannada literature of the fourth century CE. Distinct Malayalam and Telugu literary traditions developed in the following centuries. South India has two distinct styles of rock architecture, the ''pure dravida'' style of Tamil Nadu and the ''[[Vesara]]'' style (also called ''Karnata dravida'' style) present in Karnataka. The inspirational temple sculptures of [[Srirangam]], [[Chidambaram]], [[Kanchipuram]], [[Mahabalipuram]], [[Thiruvannamalai]], [[Tanjore]], [[Madurai]], [[Rameswaram]], [[Sri Kalahasti]], [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple|Tirupati]], [[Hampi]], [[Badami]], [[Bhattiprolu]], [[Simhachalam]], [[Pattadakal]], [[Aihole]], [[Belur]], [[Halebidu]], [[Lakkundi]], [[Shravanabelagola]], and the mural paintings of [[Travancore]] and [[Lepakshi]] temples, also stand as a testament to [[South Indian culture]]. The paintings of [[Raja Ravi Varma]] are considered classic renditions of many a scenes of South Indian life and mythology. The temple at [[Srirangam]] is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world, while [[Rameswaram]] is considered as one of the holiest temple in India. The main spiritual traditions of South India include both [[Shaivism|Shaivite]] and [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavite]] branches of [[Hinduism]], although [[Buddhist]] and [[Jainism|Jain]] philosophies had been influential several centuries earlier. [[Shravanabelagola]] in Karnataka is a popular pilgrimage center for [[Jainism|Jains]]. [[Ayyavazhi]] is spread significantly across the southern parts of South India. Its followers are more densely populated in South Tamil Nadu and Kerala. There is a large Muslim community in South India, particularly in the [[Malabar Coast]], which can trace its roots to the ancient maritime trade between Kerala and [[Oman]]is and other Arabs. Christianity has flourished in coastal South India from the times of [[Thomas the Apostle|St. Thomas the Apostle]] who came to Kerala in 52 and established the Syrian Christian tradition today called as [[Saint Thomas Christians]] or [[Syrian Malabar Nasrani|Nasrani]]s. Kerala is also home to one of the oldest [[Cochin Jews|Jewish communities]] in the world who are supposed to have arrived in the Malabar coast during the time of [[Biblical account of King Solomon|King Solomon]]. The oldest surviving Jewish synagogue in the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] is the [[Paradesi Synagogue]] in [[Kochi India|Kochi]], Kerala. ==See also== {{Portal|India}} * [[India]] * [[Madras Presidency]] * [[North India]] * [[North-East India]] * [[West India]] * [[East India]] * [[Central India]] ==External links== {{Sisterlinks}} {{South India topics|state=expanded}} {{Geography of India}} {{coord missing|India}}