The Dravidian peoples are a group of populations in South Asia who primarily speak Dravidian languages, one of the major language families of the world. They are mostly found in southern India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Pakistan and Nepal.
Here’s a clear overview 👇
🌍 Geographic Distribution
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Southern India — the main Dravidian-speaking states:
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Tamil Nadu (Tamil)
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Karnataka (Kannada)
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Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (Telugu)
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Kerala (Malayalam)
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Northern Sri Lanka — Tamil-speaking regions
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Small groups also live in Pakistan (Brahui people in Balochistan) and Nepal
🗣️ Major Dravidian Languages
There are about 80+ Dravidian languages, but the major ones are:
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Tamil (தமிழ்)
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Telugu (తెలుగు)
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Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ)
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Malayalam (മലയാളം)
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Tulu, Gondi, Brahui, etc.
🧬 Origins
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The exact origin of the Dravidian peoples is still debated.
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Some theories suggest they are the indigenous inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent before the arrival of Indo-Aryan-speaking peoples.
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Others connect them to ancient Indus Valley Civilization (modern-day Pakistan and northwest India), possibly indicating that the Harappans were Dravidian speakers.
🕍 Culture and Religion
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Rich traditions in literature, music, dance, and temple architecture.
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Ancient Dravidian religions later merged with Hinduism, influencing deities like Shiva and Murugan.
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Strong influence on South Indian classical arts like Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music, and Dravidian-style temples (e.g., Madurai Meenakshi Temple).
🧩 Modern Identity
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Today, "Dravidian" also refers to political and cultural movements in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, emphasizing:
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Regional pride
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Linguistic identity
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Resistance to northern (Indo-Aryan/Hindi) dominance
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Would you like me to show you a map of where the Dravidian peoples live or a timeline of their historical origins?