Thoothukudi also known as Tuticorin, is a city in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The city is also known as "Pearl City". It is a sea port city which serves southern Tamil Nadu, including the inland cities of Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli. It is one of the oldest cities in India with the history dating back to the 6th century BCE.

Tuticorin is traditionally known for its pearl fishery and shipbuilding. It was the sea port of the Pandyan Kingdom. Tuticorin was in the stronghold of the Paravas, a community from the lineage of Pandyan kingdom. The city of Tuticorin even now is the strong base of this community. The traditional old houses of the Paravas are unique, built in both Victorian style and Chettinad style from Burmese teak wood. Thoothukudi became the center of the Indian independence movement in the early 20th century, with such leaders as the poet Subramanya Bharathy, Kattabomman, and V.O. Chidambaram Pillai.