Puducherry — Culture,
Heritage & Language
French Quarter, Auroville, beaches
Introduction
Puducherry (Pondicherry) is a former French colony comprising four non-contiguous districts. The seafront French Quarter, mustard-yellow villas, Auroville and Aurobindo Ashram give the UT its distinct flavour.
Quick Facts
Capital
Puducherry
Largest City
Puducherry
Official Language
Tamil
Formation Date
1 November 1954
Area
492 sq km
Population
1,700,000+
Region
South
Type
Union Territory
Language
Tamil is the official language; French, English, Telugu and Malayalam (in Mahe) are also used.
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Traditional Dress
Tamil-style sarees and dhoti dominate; French-Indian fusion attire is visible in Pondicherry town.
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Festivals
Bastille Day, Masi Magam, Pongal, Diwali, Christmas and the Auroville International Day.
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Cuisine
Tamil-French fusion: Bouillabaisse à la Pondichérienne, Vindaye, Cassoulet, Idli-Sambar, Chettinad-style seafood and French baguettes from local boulangeries.
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Literature
Bharathidasan and Subramania Bharati found refuge here under French rule; modern writers like Ari Gautier explore Creole heritage.
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Art Forms
Auroville pottery, Kolam floor art, French colonial architecture, Bharatanatyam at local schools and the Aurobindo philosophical tradition.
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Historical Importance
French settlement from 1674; combined with Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam under French India until 1954 transfer to India; UT since 1962.
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