Tamil people are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the northeastern region of Sri Lanka.

Historic and post fifteenth-century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Réunion (France) and the UK.

Since the late centuries BCE, urbanization and mercantile activity along the western and eastern coast of what is today Kerala and Tamil Nadu led to the development of four large Tamil political states (Chera, Chola, Pandya and Pallavas) and a number of small petty states warring amongst themselves for dominance.

Between the third century BCE and the third century CE Tamil people also produce native literature that comes to be called Sangam literature.

In the late centuries BCE, religions such as Jainism, Buddhism and Vedic religion is spread amongst the populace.Tamils are noted for their military, religious and mercantile activities beyond their native borders.

Pandyas and Cholas are historically active in Sri Lanka.

Pallava traders and religious leaders travel to South East Asia and play an important role in the cultural Indianization of the region.

Locally developed scripts such as Grantha and Pallava script induce the development of many native scripts such as Khmer, Javanese and Thai.Tamil visual art is dominated by stylized Temple architecture in major centers and the productions of images of deities in stone and bronze.

Chola bronzes, especially the Nataraja sculpture of the Chola period, have become notable as a symbol of Hinduism.

Tamil performing arts are divided into popular and classical.

Classical form is Bharatanatyam whereas the popular forms are known as Kuthus and performed in village temples and on street corners.

Tamil cinema known as Kollywood is an important part of the Indian cinema industry.

Music too is divided into classical Carnatic form and many popular genres.

Although most Tamilians are Hindus, most practice what is considered to be folk Hinduism, venerating a plethora of village deities.

A sizeable number are Christians and Muslims.

A small Jain community survives from the classical period as well.

Tamil cuisine is informed by varied vegetarian and non vegetarian items usually spiced with locally available spices.

The music, the temple architecture and the stylized sculptures favored by the Tamil people as in their ancient nation are still being learnt and practiced.

Thus, Tamilians have been referred to as the last surviving classical civilization on Earth.