Kongu Songs

1  .Kongu Mangala vazhthu song





2.  Kongu Vellala Gounder Song




3.  Kongu Nattu thangame song




4.  Kongu Nattu thangame song




5.  Sambha nathu song

பொன்னூஞ்சல் விழா

பெண் குழந்தைகளுக்கு பொன்னூஞ்சல் விழா. மார்கழித் திருவாதிரையை முன்னிட்டு, பெண் குழந்தைகளுக்கான பொன்னூஞ்சல் விழா, வேணாவுடையார் அரண்மனையில்(Sankarandampalayam, Dharapuram)

 மூன்று ஆண்டுகளுக்கு ஒரு முறை நடக்கும். கொங்கு வேளாளர் இனத்தில் ஒரு பிரிவான பெரிய குல கோத்திரத்தாரின் பெண் குழந்தைகளை, பொன்னூஞ்சல் ஆட்டும் சீர் நிகழ்ச்சி தொன்றுதொட்டு வழக்கத்தில் உள்ளது. 

சோழ மாமன்னர் இரண்டாவது கரிகாலர் தன் மருமகன் ஆட்டன் அத்தி என்ற சேரமன்னனை கருவூரில் அரியணை ஏற்றினார். கரிகாலனுக்கு படை உதவி செய்த பெரியகுல தலைவன் வேணாடருக்கு நன்றி தெரிவிக்க, தன் மகள் ஆடும் பொன் ஊஞ்சலை அளித்தார். அது முதல், மார்கழி திருவாதிரை நாளில் மூன்று ஆண்டுகளுக்கு ஒரு முறை பொன்னூஞ்சல் விழா நடக்கிறது. 



தூரி:
தூரியை ஆசாரி வீட்டுக்குக் கொண்டு போய்த் தங்கத் தகடு அடித்துப் பூசை செய்து கொண்டு வந்து பின் நிலை பெறுத்துதல் செய்தல் வேண்டும். தூரியை ஏற்றுவதற்கு ஆசாரி பொங்கல் வைக்க வேண்டும். பொங்கலுக்கு ஆசாரிக்கு அரிசி கொடுப்பது வழக்கம் புண்ணியார்ச்சனை செய்த பின் தூரியாட்டுதல் நியதி. தூரி போடும் சமயம் எஜமானர் அவர்கள் சாமியார் புலவர் ஆகியோர் இருந்து நடத்துதல் வேண்டும். குலகுருவாகிய சாமியாரும் எஜமானரும் உறவின் முறையாரும் அமர்ந்திருக்கும் சமயம் புலவர்கள் பெரியநாயகியம்மன் ஊஞ்சல் பாட்டைப் பாடி ஆட்டுதல் நியதி தூரியில் அமருங் குழந்தைகள் நிமித்தம், புலவர்கள் ஊர் அழைக்கப் போதல் மரபு.
தூரிக்குக் கொடுக்க வேண்டிய சாமான்கள்:
தூரியில் அமரும் ஒவ்வொரு குழந்தைக்கும் உரிய கட்டணம் பச்சரிசி, புழுங்கல் அரிசி, வெல்லம், தேங்காய், பழம், மஞ்சள், பாக்கு, வெற்றிலை, காணிக்கை ஆகும். மேற்கூறிய சாமான்கள் கொண்டு வராதவர்கள் காணிக்கையுடன் செலுத்துதல் வேண்டும்.
தூரியில் அமருங் குழந்தைகளை மிராஸ்படி முறைப்படி, நடத்துதல் வேண்டும். உள்ளூர், புதுப்பாளையம், குள்ளக்காளிபாளையம், வேலப்பம் பாளையம், ஆண்டிபாளையம் என்ற வரிசையில் குழந்தைகளைத் தூரியில் அமர்த்த அனுமதிக்க வேண்டும்.

முதற்பங்கு:
முதலில் அரண்மனைக் குழந்தைக்கு இடம் அளிப்பது சம்பிரதாயம் பின் உள்ளூர்ப்பங்கு தொடங்கப்பெறும் உள்ளூர்ப்பங்கில் உள்ளூர் ரங்கபாளையம் கோவில்பாளையம் கன்னங்கோவில், முதலிய ஊர்கள் அடங்கும்.

2-வது பங்கு:
புதுப்பாளையம் செ-புதூர், கவுண்டயன் வலசு, எருக்கலங் காட்டுப் புதூர் முதலிய ஊர்கள் அடங்கும்.

மூன்றாம் பங்கு:
குள்ளக் காளிபாளையம் - நான்காம் பங்கு:
வேலப்பம்பாளையம் எரிசனம்பாளையம் வெள்ளைக்கவுண்டன்புதூர் ராசிபாளையம் கருக்கம்பாளையம் கள்ளிமேடு ஆண்டிபாளையம், முதலிய ஊர்கள் அடங்கும் மற்றைய ஊர்க் குழந்தைகளை மாமூல் வழக்கம்படி வைத்து ஆட்டுதல் முறைமை.

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EJAMANAR, ARANMANAI. PATTAKKARAR, THIRU.S.K.BALASUPRAMANIAM PERIYANNA VENAUDAIAR ,SANKARANDAMPALAYAM, DHARAPURAM , 

Kongu Cuisine

Kongu Cuisine:  Basically it is a collection of recipes from all the different towns of this region over centuries .

Cuisine speciality:

• Traditional way of cooking.
• No marination of non vegetarian items.
• Tumeric is always used [fresh or roased and ground].
• Use of oil and chilli is less
• Use of unpeeled potatoes use and milk in curries.
• Use of coconut shells to cook meat gravies easily.  
  
• Use  of "Coparai" (dry coconut) in curries and gravies rather than fresh coconut 
• Use mangoes to prepare various sweets 
• Cook delicacies using various cereals such as rye, bajra, jowar for their main course.
• Consume butter milk and sweet as the second last course and rasam as the last.

First time in cooking: 

• "Venpongal" and "Kottu" recipes to crop up.
• Drumstick leaves used to make ghee from butter.
• Concept of "Pickle Making" using gingelly oil was conceived here as sesame crop was cultivated in Arachalur, Erode and Nathakadaiyur.
• 'Jasmine Idlis', which has a special character of regaining its shape and texture even when pressed
• "Vadagams" prepared by drying meat . 
• "Panchamirtham" : From the region of Kulithalai and Pollachi were the special type of bananas were grown known as "Viruppachi Vazhaipazham". This was developed in the temple kitchen, where expert chefs prepared a dish which speaks for itself. It contains viruppachi plantains, kandasari sugar, dates, kalkandu [sugar candy],cardamom and ghee.
• "Kali" prepared from use pulses like maize, ragi, bajra was from the region of Karur, Kangeyam and Palladam.
• Pathaneer Halwa / Payasam and Illaneer Halwa / Payasam took shape here.

Kongunad special : few recipe names:

• Pollachi yeral masala and pollachi mutton kuzhambu.
• Thandu keema urundai.
• Karur mutton kuzhambhu.
• Keeranoor mutton kuzhambhu [mutton + vegetables]
• Karimeen kuzhambhu [ fish + mutton].
• Pallipalayam kozhi varuval [chiken +pallipalayam special masala]
• Nathakadaiyur nandu masala [crab masala].
• Attakatti yeral masala.
• Aathur kozhi kuzhambhu .

Vegetarian recipes:

• Benian [speciality of muslim cuisine ]
• Mushroom thirattal [mushroom + groundnut masala].
• Ellu kara dosai. 
• Ragi roti.
• Pallapatti kathirikai masala.
• Kathamba saadam.
• Kuchi kizhangu avial.
• Salavu kuzhambu [use of herbs like thithili]
• Drumstick leaf adai.
• Karur kaai kurma.
• Pachapuli rasam [tamarind + onion].
• Nila kuzhambhu.[curry prepared with potato, colocassia, yam and sweet potato]
• Kollu masiyal [horsegram boiled and ground to a paste along with spices]
• Payiru thirattal [whole moong dhal+groundnut paste +onion +pepper]
• Kaalaan parangi kari.

Coimbatore in Kongu Region

Coimbatore is situated in the west of Tamil Nadu, bordering the state of Kerala. It is surrounded by the Western Ghats mountain range on the West and North, with reserve forests and the (Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve) on the northern side. The Noyyal River runs through Coimbatore and forms the southern boundary of the corporation

With more than 25,000 small, medium and large industries, the city's primary industries are engineering and textiles. Coimbatore is called the "Manchester of South India" due to its extensive textile industry, fed by the surrounding cotton fields.The district also houses the country's largest amount of hosiery and poultry industries[citation needed]. The city has two special economic zones (SEZ), the Coimbatore Hi-Tech Infrastructure (CHIL) SEZ and the Coimbatore TIDEL park, and at least five more SEZs are in the pipeline

Originally Coimbatore district  formed part of the Kongu country, the history of which dates back to the Sangam age. It is found that in early days the area was inhabited by the tribes, the most predominant among them being the Kosars who are reported to have had their headquaeters at Kosampathur  which probably later became the present Coimbatore.

However, tribal predominance did not last long as they were over-run by the Rashtra Kutas. From Rastrakutas the Region fell in to the hands of the cholas who were in prominence at the time of Raja Raja Chola. On the decline of Cholas the Kongun territory was occupied by the Chalukyas and then by the Pandyas and the cysalas.

Due to internal strife in the Pandyas Kingdom the Muslim rulers from Delhi happened to interfere. Thus the area fell into the hands of Madurai Sultanate from whom the Vijayanagar rulers wrestled for the region during 1377-78 after overthrowing the Madurai Nayaks.During the period of Muthu Veerappa Nayak and later during the period of Tirumal Nayak internal strife and intermittent wars ruined the kingdom.

As a  consequence during the period of Tirumal Nayak,the Kongu region fell into the hands of the Mysore rulers from whom hyder Ali took over the area. However, consequents on the fall of Tippu Sultan of Mysore in 1799, the Kongu  region came to be ceded to the East India Company by the Maharaja of mysore who was restored to power by the East India Company after defeating Tippu Sultan. From then till 1947 when India attained Independence, the region remained under British control who initiated systematic revenue administration.


In 1840, the areas were merged into one  and brought under one District Collector. During the time, Mr.H.S. GREAME, [I/C] from 20/10/1803 to 20/01/1805 was the Collector. In 1868, the Nilgiris District was bifurcated from the Coimbatore District. At the opening of the present century there were ten taluks in the district viz., Bhavani, Coimbatore, Dharapuram, Erode, Karur, Kollegal, Palladam, Pollachi, Sathyamangalam and Udumalaipettai. The name of Sathyamangalam taluk was subsequently changed as Gopichettipalaiyam.

Avinashi taluk was formed in the year Karur taluk happened to be transferred to Tiruchirappalli district. In 1927, some villages of Bhavani taluk together with a few village from Salem district were constituted into Mettur Area but very soon i.e, in 1929, this area was transferred to Salem district.

Again in the year 1956 considerable area of the district, viz., the whole of Kollegal taluk was transferred to Mysore State as part of the States Re-organisation Scheme. In 1975, Sathyamangalam sub-taluk was upgraded as a full fledged taluk.

Again in 1979, Perundurai sub-taluk of Erode and Mettupalayam sub-taluk of Avanashi were also upgraded into independent taluks.Thus the total number of taluks in the district came to twelve. This, however, did not last long. In the same year (1979) six taluks were bifurcated from the district to constitute a new district viz, Erode.

Under G.O. Ms. No. 1917 Revenue dt. 31-8-79, the following six taluks were bifurcated from then Coimbatore district to from Erode district. Bhavani, Gopichettipalayam, Sathyamangalam, Erode, Perundurai and Dharapuram. This bifurcation considerably reduced the size of the district. It has only nine taluks now, viz.  Pollachi, Coimbatore (North), Avanashi, Palladam, Udumalpettai, Tirupur, Valparai, Coimbatore (South) and Mettupalayam.

Tracing the History of Textile City - Rich legacy and promising future

Coimbatore is the third largest city in Tamilnadu, with a population of more than 15 lakhs. There are more than 30,000 tiny small, medium and large industries and textile mills. The city is known for its entrepreneurship of its residents. The Climate is comfortable round the year. The city is situated on the banks of the river Noyyal. Coimbatore existed even prior to the 2nd  Century AD as a small tribal village capital called Kongunad until it was brought under Chola control in the 2nd or 3rd Century AD by Karikalan, the first of the early Cholas.

When Kongunad fell to the British along with the reset of the state, its name  was changed to Coimbatore and it is by this name that is known today, except in Tamil, in which it is called Kovai. The rich black soil of the region has contributed to Coimbatore’s flourishing agriculture industry and, it is in fact, the successful growth of cotton has served as a foundation for the establishment of its famous textile industry.


There are more than 25,000 small, medium, large scale industries and textile mills. Coimbatore is also famous for the manufacture of motor pump sets and varied engineering goods, due to which it has earned the title “Detroit of the South”.
The Development of Hydroelectricity from the Pykara falls in the 1930s led to a cotton boom in Coimbatore.

The result has been a strong economy and a reputation as one of the greatest industrial cities in South India. According to ancient manuscripts, Coimbatore’s history can be traced to the Irula tribal chief Kovan and his clan who were it’s earliest settlers and the founders of “Kovanpatti” a part of Kongunadu. Years later, the surrounding forests were cleared, and the founder of “Kovanpatti” a part of kongunadu. Years later, the surrounding forests were cleared, and a new village was formed called “Kovanputhur”, which over the years came to be known as “Coimbatore”.

In spite of it’s prominence as a busting industrial city, Coimbatore still remains  one of the most pollution free cities in India. Covering an area of 23.5 square Kilometers, the city houses some of the biggest names in Indian Industry. The major industries include textiles, textile machinery, automobile spares,motors, electronics, steel and aluminium foundries. Tirupur – a neighbouring town has carves a niche for itself in the garments market. Agriculture however remains the major occupation.

The rich fertile soil and tropical climate is excellent for the growth of millet, paddy, cotton, tea, oil seeds and tobacco. The city is also known for it’s educational institutions. Coimbatore Agricultural University is renowned as one of the best colleges of it’s industrial and technological growth, traditions and age old customs are still held in high esteem. The temples bear witness to the religiousness and love of art and architecture of the people. There are also a number of places of tourist intrest around Coimbatore. Ootacamund (ooty for short), is one of the most popular tourist spots in India.