Dravidar

Dravidar refers to a group of people who speak Dravidian languages and are indigenous to the southern regions of India, primarily the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, as well as parts of Sri Lanka. The Dravidian language family is one of the major language families of the world, distinct from the Indo-Aryan languages spoken in northern India. Major Dravidian languages include Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.

Historically, Dravidian peoples are associated with ancient civilizations in the Indian subcontinent. Archaeological evidence suggests a complex urban culture existed in these regions long before the arrival of Indo-Aryan speakers. The term "Dravidian" was first widely used by European scholars in the 19th century to categorize the peoples and languages of southern India.

Culturally, Dravidian societies have a rich heritage in literature, art, architecture, and philosophy, often distinct from those of northern India. For instance, classical Tamil literature predates much of classical Sanskrit literature. Many ancient temples in South India exhibit unique architectural styles. The concept of "Dravidianism" also emerged as a political and social movement in the 20th century, advocating for the rights and identity of Dravidian people and emphasizing their distinct cultural and linguistic heritage. This movement has significantly influenced the political landscape of Tamil Nadu.