Tamils were never hindus. this is proven fact. They were however converted to brahminic religion during bhakti movement, i would say they were forced to accept dalitism, those who did not convert were mass murdered. Madurai history is witness to these archaelogical facts. Search 56 madurai caves, you will find it was all about dravidian aboriginal religion which is known as Samanar religion (sraminic system) later renamed as Jainism. Unfotunately today jainism is only followed by few converted aryans in few parts of india. where as aborginal jains are hardly few thousand in tamilnadu, maharastra, karnataka and kerala who are mostly known as Nainars.
