The Pandya Dynasty, particularly during the reign of Pandya kings, maintained extensive maritime trade with Rome, Egypt, and Southeast Asian kingdoms, as evidenced by Roman coins found in Tamil Nadu.

The Dravidian movement, led by figures like Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, emphasized social equality, caste reform, and the promotion of Tamil language and culture against Sanskrit dominance.

Chennai Port remains the primary transhipment hub for Tamil Nadu and southern India, with recent modernization initiatives under the 2024 Port Development Strategy.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy founded and led the Self-Respect Movement, which challenged Brahminical orthodoxy and promoted Tamil linguistic and cultural pride.

The Madras Film Festival (now Chennai International Film Festival) has been held since 1997 and is a major platform for international cinema in Tamil Nadu.

Sangam literature, comprising collections like Ettuthokai and Pattupattu, is generally dated between the 3rd and 1st century BCE, representing the earliest Tamil literary works.

Tiruppur has become a global hub for knitted fabric production, processing, and dyeing, earning it the nickname 'Manchester of South India' and exporting to over 100 countries.

The Theosophical Society was founded in 1875 by Helena Blavatsky and others. Its headquarters was established in Madras (Chennai) in 1882.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy founded the Self-Respect Movement (Suyamariyathai Iyakkam) in 1925 to promote social equality and rationalism in Tamil Nadu.

Textile manufacturing remains the largest industrial employer in Tamil Nadu's organized sector, with a significant concentration in Tiruppur, Erode, and Salem districts.