Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, while addressing a gathering in Rameswaram, shed light on a significant yet lesser-known chapter of India's history, emphasizing the deep cultural and civilizational bonds between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.
Unveiling a Forgotten Historical Sacrifice
Speaking at the valedictory function of 'Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0' on Tuesday, the Vice-President recounted that when the sacred Kashi temple was destroyed by the Mughals, a large contingent of warriors from Tamil Nadu and the Pandya kingdom marched north to fight and reclaim the holy site. He stated that this represents the true history, which many people are unaware of today.
"Similarly, when a slur is cast upon our country and our dharma, everyone must unite and fight," Radhakrishnan asserted, drawing a parallel to present-day unity. He passionately defended the sentiment of nationalism, clarifying that celebrating the nation does not diminish the pride of the Tamil language. "Are we against Tamil by saying 'Long live this nation?' No! Just as our nation is one eye, our mother tongue, Tamil, is the other eye; no one can change that," he declared.
A Vision Fulfilled: PM Modi's Role in Strengthening Ties
The Vice-President explained that the inseparable relationship between Kashi and Rameswaram inspired Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unique approach to the event—holding the inauguration in Kashi and the concluding ceremony in Rameswaram. He credited the Prime Minister's vision and strategic schemes for fulfilling the dream envisioned by the poet Bharathi.
Recalling the 'Mann Ki Baat' broadcast on November 30, Radhakrishnan highlighted PM Modi's praise for Tamil, where the PM described "Tamil culture as noble, Tamil language is sublime and one of the prides of India." He noted that the Kashi Tamil Sangamam itself is a beautiful scheme initiated by the PM for learning Tamil and fostering this ancient connection.
Adding another historical layer, the VP shared, "Do you know what one of the greatest glories of the city of Kashi is? When that temple faced a difficult situation, the honour of carrying necessary puja items there every day was given to the Nattukottai Chettiars of Tamil Nadu."
Leaders Echo the Sentiment of Unity
Governor R N Ravi, who delivered his entire speech in Tamil, emphasized that the Kashi-Rameswaram link stretches back thousands of years to the era of Lord Rama. He identified devotion to Lord Shiva as a central cultural pillar of the Tamil people.
"As part of Kashi Tamil Sangamam, 300 students came here from Kashi to learn Tamil. No one else did as much for the popularity of the Tamil language and the pride of Tamil culture as Prime Minister Narendra Modi did," Governor Ravi added.
Union Minister L Murugan pointed out Kashi's mentions in ancient texts like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Sangam literature's 'Kurinji thinai'. He also noted the translation of Thirukkural into over 35 languages in recent years and PM Modi's efforts to establish Thiruvalluvar cultural centres worldwide.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan termed Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 a "civilizational initiative", aimed at strengthening the nation's emotional and cultural unity by reconnecting people with India's living traditions. BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran and IIT Madras director V Kamakoti also addressed the gathering.
Cultural Celebrations and Documentary
The event was rich with cultural performances symbolizing the bond between the two regions. Programs like Mangala Vathiyam, Shiva Vathiyam, and Thirupugazh Isai Vazhipadu were conducted. A documentary titled 'Kashi Tamil Sangamam Journey' was telecast to mark the occasion, visually narrating the story of this enduring connection.
