Various theories have been purported for the proper origination of the word `dravida` which is a Sanskrit word. It has been said by the scholars that the word is behind the formation of the etymon of the word Tamil. Others hold that the word `Dravida` may be originated from Sanskrit `Drava` that connotes water or sea, thus signifying the people of India who lived close to the sea. As per the history the Aryans and the Dravidians were the part of Indian society and it is also said that the people of north Indian are the descendants of Aryans whereas the south Indians are categorised as Dravidians.

Furthermore, the languages of south India are considered to be the Dravidian languages and on the other hand the languages of north India are reckoned as Aryan languages. As per the general Indian legend, the Dravidian people resided in India before the advent of Aryans. After the arrival of the Aryans in India the socio cultural activities and norms were hampered by the Aryans and they gradually took control over the north Indian regions and took initiative in driving the people of that region southwards or the north Indian mountains.

The Dravidians were flourishing and developing their tradition in the southern peninsula of India. The physical characteristic of this group was that they were dark-skinned and short in height. As per some scholars, the Dravidians of Indian were the descendants of the Indus Valley people and were driven by the encroachers towards south. The Dravidians are said to be the composers of religious treatises and fine hymns in Tamil language and they were the founders of magnificent stone temples in and around India. The Dravidians prospered in several kingdoms and the temples established by the Dravidians got religious importance by the visitors of Hindu religious heritage.

The Dravidians established a particular civilisation that is known as Dravidian civilization. As per some research scholars, the speakers of the proto-Dravidian languages are the founder of Dravidian civilisation. This civilisation is said to be in existence before the advent of Indo-Aryans in India and this pre-Vedic civilisation is basically the civilisation of the people who used to speak proto-Dravidian languages.

Though no literary evidence has been found for the Dravidian civilisation but as per the research work of the archeological scholars of India, the Dravidians are the inhabitants of Indian subcontinents and their community was extant even before the arrival of Aryans in the scene.