History & Culture Porunai Archaeological Museum CONTEXT: This museum showcases the historical significance of the Porunai (Thamirabarani) river and the Tamil civilization. Purpose: To showcase the artefacts excavated at the ancient archaeological sites of Adichanallur, Sivakalai, and Korkai in Thoothukudi district, and Thulukkarpatti in Tirunelveli district. Location: Built on 13 acres near Reddiyarpatti hillock on the outskirts of Palayamkottai, Major Highlights: Sivakalai Block Demonstrated the Tamils’ expertise in making iron tools and weapons The burial urns, bronze vessels, iron tools and weapons, multi-coloured earthenware, tiles with various signs, and ‘Thamizhi’ letters. Adichanallur Block Adichanallur, the cradle of civilisation on the banks of the Tamirabharani. Showcases burial urns, iron tools, offering pots, earthenware, and pottery tiles with Thamizhi letters. The 21 baked earthen pipes excavated at Adichanallur show the ancient Tamils’ expertise in using these pipes for diverting water for irrigation. Korkai The port town of the Pandya Kingdom The glass beads and bangles, conch bangles, terracotta beads, stone beads, terracotta figures and pipes, copper coins, and Roman and Chinese pottery tiles excavated at Korkai. Korkai’s pearl fishery, and deep sea diving skills of ancient Tamils add colour to the museum. Thulukkarpatti The excavations done at Thulukkarpatti in Tirunelveli district. Silver coins, earthen jewels, glass jewels, polished tiles, a range of iron tools, terracotta figures, and pots with Thamizhi letters are excavated. The research done on the artefacts of Thulukkarpatti and Indus Valley civilisations have yielded a lot of similarities between the two civilisations. The museum features: Digitally recreated iron smelting processes 5D immersive experiences of the Tamil landscape Virtual boat rides and river valley civilization exhibits Interactive walls, touchscreens, and digital communication centres Design Museum featuring Chettinad and local architecture. This structure has been built by combining traditional architectural style and modern technology. Carbon Dating The Beta Analytics Laboratory in Miami, U.S., while analysing…
AWARDS & HONOURS
Ilakkiya Maamani Awards Tamil Nadu Chief Minister presented the 2024 Ilakkiya Maamani Awards to Tamil scholars: Name District Category Prof. T. Gnanasundaram Chennai Traditional Tamil Dr.R. Kamarasu Thiruvarur Research Tamil Somasundaram (A) Kalapriya Tenkasi Creative Tamil Award Details: Each award includes a cheque for ₹5 lakh, a one-sovereign gold medal. Purpose: The awards, presented annually since 2021 by the Tamil Nadu government, recognize scholars who have contributed to the enrichment of Tamil and its literature. The award was instituted following the CM’s announcement on 03.06.2021 (Karunanidhi’s birthday), to honour 3 scholars each year across: Traditional Tamil, Research Tamil and Creative Tamil A total of 12 scholars have received the Ilakkiya Maamani Award so far. Tamil Isai Sangam Awards Dancer Chitra Visveswaran has been selected for the Tamil Isai Sangam's Music Master Award for the year 2025, and Thirumurai Isaivanar Kudanthai V. Lakshmanan has been selected for the Pan Music Master Award. Chitra Visveswaran, who will receive the Music Master Award, has received the Central Government's Padma Shri Award and the Tamil Nadu Government's Kalai Mamani Award.
