Home to glorious monuments, a dazzling culture, a rich
tapestry of history, and natural bounty in the form of fabulous beaches
and clear skies, Tamil Nadu is an excellent destination for incentive
groups wishing to enjoy both culture and environment. The eastern and
western tips of the state are defined by the Point Calimere and
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuaries, while the northern extreme is Pulicat
Lake and the southernmost tip ends in the beauty of Kanyakumari.
Tamil, the official state language, is spoken by most of the
population, and although Tamil Nadu is one of the most urbanised states
in India, it is still a rural land and agriculture is the mainstay of
life for about three-quarters of the rural population. Tamil Nadu is
rich in handicrafts such as handloomed silk, metal icons, leather work,
kalamkari (hand-painted fabric, using natural dyes), and brass, bronze,
copper ware, carved wood, palm leaf, and cane articles.
Bharatanatyam, one of India's major classical dance forms, and Carnatic
music are widely practiced in Tamil Nadu. Painting and Sculpture are
less developed, although there are schools that teach the art of
sculpture in stone and bronze. Tamil literature rapidly adapted to the
Western literary forms of the novel and the short story. Since the
1940s, cinema has become the most popular form of mass entertainment.
The state capital, Chennai(formerly known as Madras) is a
vibrant city and home to a rich architectural legacy and a dynamic arts
scene, combining centuries-old traditions with modern-day technology.
The city makes an excellent base for visiting sights of interest nearby
when time is of a premium, including the Vedanthangal water birds
sanctuary, the famous Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar temple of Madurai, and
the Alagar Hills, home to the Tirupparakunram Rock temple.
However, Tamil Nadu is not only about the past. The state is
developing rapidly in the areas of economy, social, human resources, and
culture. Tamil Nadu is one of the top three Indian states that receive
the highest foreign investment in automobiles, information technology,
power, and telecommunications.
Chennai, along with other southern cities of Bangalore and Hyderabad,
has established itself as a centre of technological excellence. The
dynamism and forward-looking vision of its people ensure that any
incentive program is assured of success through the availability of
knowledge, skills and infrastructure.
