And we make a brief mention of architectural marvels
Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 17, 2022
The dawn of New Year in South India this week augured well with the formation of the Federation of South Indian Associations New Zealand (FSIANZ) Inc bringing together the first five associations representing the five States of South India, namely Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.
The five Associations- Mana Andhra Telugu Association New Zealand, Telangana Association of New Zealand, Auckland Tamil Association, Auckland Malayali Samajam and New Zealand Kannada Koota – are in essence trailblazers in integrating the cultural, social and traditional values of South India.
Common Values for Common Good
We hope that the Associations will forge unity and combine it solidarity, protecting and promoting not only their culture and heritage but also their people. For, nothing binds people other than a common sense of purpose, pursuing the common good. Such unity was demonstrated during the recent pandemic, which taught us the importance of staying together and caring for each other.
Covering the southern part of the peninsular Deccan Plateau, South India is bounded by the Bay of Bengal in the East, the Arabian Sea in the West, and the Indian Ocean in the South. In the five States, there is a beautiful gentle pace of life with some wonderful beach attractions.
There are several factors like South Indian food, classical music & dance, Kalarippayattu (ancient martial arts), and Ayurveda which work as a highlight for this region. Overall, this part of India comprises amazing wildlife, forested valleys, mountains, and mind-blowing historical architecture. With the range of Hindu pilgrims, you can witness the point of Land’s End during your visit to Kanyakumari.
Cultured and Humble
The people of South India are intelligent, cultured, and humble. Hundreds of years ago, they were mainly Hindu, both Shaivite and Vaishnavite (respective followers of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu).
Buddhist and Jain philosophies have also flourished. Christianity flourished in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, later joined by Islam, particularly on the Malabar Coast. Madras and Cochin is home to one of the oldest Cochin Jews and Paradesi Jews.
Festivals like Pongal, New Year (Ugadi in Andhra, Telangana and Karnataka; Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and Vishu in Kerala), Ganesh Chaturthi, Onam, Navaratri, Deepavali, Easter, Christmas, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha (Bakrid) and many other religious and social observances are followed with a spirit of oneness as inter-faith.
South Indians are far more traditional than north Indians. Many festivals are called different names in various regions but are the same, festivals are celebrated in Dakshinayana, the six months between Summer and Winter Solstices. The South Indian Culture is essentially the celebration of the eternal universe through the celebration of the beauty of the body and motherhood.
Celebration of Culture
The South Indian culture is celebrated in the elaborate dance forms of South India, including Bharata Natyam, Koodiyattam, Thirayattam, Oyilattam, Karakattam, Kuchipudi, Mohini Attam, Kathakali, Oppana, Kerala Natanam, Ottan Thullal, Yaksha Ghana, Theyyam and Bhuta Kola, to mention a few.
These tenets bring to life the philosophy of Natyashastra, ‘Angikam Bhuvanam Yasya’ (The body is your world). This is elaborated in the Araimandi posture, wherein the performer assumes a half-sitting position with the knees turned sideways, with a very erect posture.
In this fundamental posture of the Bharata Natyam dance, the distance between the head and the navel becomes equal to that between the earth and the navel. Similarly, the distance between the outstretched right arm to the outstretched left arm becomes equal to the distance between the head and the feet, thus representing the ‘Natya Purusha,’ the embodiment of life and creation.
Two Architecture styles
South India boasts of two enchanting styles of rock architecture, the pure Dravida style of Tamil Nadu and the Vesara style (also called Karnataka Dravida style) present in Karnataka.
Other styles of non-rock architecture include Kerala Architecture.
It has been performed and followed according to Indian Vedic Architectural Science (Vastu Shastra). The inspirational Temple sculptures of Mahabalipuram, Tanjore, Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole, Belur, Halebidu, Lakkundi, Shravanabelagola, Madurai and Mural paintings of Travancore and Lepakshi Temple also stand as a testament to South Indian culture. The paintings of Raja Ravi Varma are considered classic renditions of many themes of South Indian life and mythology. There are several examples of Kerala Mural paintings in the Mattancherry Palace and the Shiva Kshetram at Ettamanoor. South India is home to many World Heritage-listed sites.
