Chennai (formerly Madras) has been the capital of Tamil Nadu since the state's formation in 1956.

Purananuru is a collection of 400 poems in Sangam literature that praise Tamil kings and their martial exploits and generosity.

The three Great Living Chola Temples are Brihadeeswara (Thanjavur), Airavatesvara (Darasuram), and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Meenakshi Temple is a Pandya temple, not a Chola temple, though it's a UNESCO site separately.

Textile and apparel manufacturing remains the largest employer in Tamil Nadu, though IT services are growing rapidly. Tamil Nadu produces about 40% of India's textiles.

Tamil Nadu's literacy rate as per 2011 Census was 80.3%, which is higher than the national average of 74.04%.

The Pallava dynasty (3rd-9th century) made significant contributions to Dravidian architecture (Mahabalipuram monuments) and developed the Grantha script which evolved into modern Tamil and other South Indian scripts.

The Kaveri River is the principal river of Tamil Nadu and is crucial for agriculture and irrigation, earning it the title 'Lifeline of Tamil Nadu'.

Ramanuja (11th century) was a prominent Bhakti saint-philosopher from Tamil Nadu who propagated Vaishnavism and influenced the Bhakti movement in South India.

Dodabetta (2,636 m) in the Nilgiri Mountains is the highest peak in Tamil Nadu, located in the Ooty district.

Bharatanatyam is the classical dance form of Tamil Nadu, originating from temple traditions and codified by Bharata's Natyashastra principles.