Tamil nationalism is a strong aspiration by some Tamils to establish traditional Tamil homelands in parts of India and Sri Lanka as separate nations.

The Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and the Tamil Eelam region in Sri Lanka are considered the Tamil people's traditional lands. Tamil nationalism is rooted in an identity forged by the Tamil language. Ideologically, it seeks to preserve and modernize Tamil language and culture, unite Tamils across boundaries, eradicate caste discrimination within Tamils, emancipate and empower Tamil women, uplift the economic status of Tamils, and to securely establish Tamil identity in a globalized world.

In order to achieve Tamil nationalist goals Tamil nationalists seek separate or self-governing political power in Tamil Nadu and Tamil Eelam.