NORTH OR SOUTH, WE ARE SAME, WE ARE ONE. KASHI TAMIL SANGAMAM IS STRENGTHENING THIS BOND OF ONENESS: FINANCE MINISTER NIRMALA SITHARAMAN

VARANASI : Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister, Government of India, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has said that Kashi Tamil Sangamam is further strengthening the sense of oneness among the people of the country. Speaking at an academic session as chief guest as part of Kashi Tamil Sangamam being organized at Banaras Hindu University, the minister added that be it North or the South, the people of India are one. “Even though we speak different languages, follow different customs, the essence is the same. We are one and united”, said the finance minister. She said that there have been attempts to divide us on different pretexts but, we as Indians and children of mother India have been together and united with the love for our motherland. Highlighting the ancient links of Kashi and Tamilnadu, the minister said that both have been the lands of knowledge and wisdom and Kashi Tamil Sangamam is a perfect occasion to explore and rediscover this shared legacy. Expressing gratitude towards Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi for the organization of Kashi Tamil Sangamam, the Finance Minister said that under his idea of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” the Sangamam is serving as the meeting point of the two diverse and rich cultures.

Renowned pencil sketching artist and Managing Trustee, of Ennangalin Sangamam, Shri J. Prabhakar, drew a live sketch demonstrating the columns used in the temple architecture in Tamil Nadu. The artist is credited with drawing 3000 sketches of temples and personalities.

The academic session on “Temple Architecture and Other Heritage Forms of Knowledge”, saw an enriching exchange of ideas by various experts and eminent personalities. Dr. Arimalam Padmanabham, Professor of Music and Theatre, Central Institute of Classical Tamil, expressed his views on the topic of ‘Knowledge forms in Drama and Music’. He sang a song by Bharathiyar called ‘Thean Madurath Tamil Osai’. He explained the musical nuances of Silapathikaram and the manner in which Yazh instruments were preserved in Kappiyam.

Shri R. Gopu, Software Developer and History and Heritage Expert, in his highly insightful lecture on ‘How to see a Temple’, talked about the ignorance of people towards their own ancient heritage and cultural wonders. He cited the Sadanta Jataka paintings from Ajanta caves and Neelkantheswara Temple in Madhya Pradesh. He gave a detailed description of the different types and elements of Temple Architecture in India namely Nagara, Dravida and Vesara.

Shri S. Gnanaprakash, IT professional and Temple Architecture and Arts Enthusiast, delivered his lecture on Knowledge forms and Temple Architecture. He stressed on the integral role of temples in Tamil culture and quoted from an ancient Tamil text: ‘Live not in a place where there is no temple’. He based his lecture on Silpashastra as found in Agamas, Vastu texts, Rig and later Vedic texts and briefly outlined 3 texts – Manasara, Mayamata and Silparatna. He acquainted the audience with some of the finest glimpses of Tamil temple architecture especially from Chola and Pandyan periods.

Eminent cultural Geographer and Former Professor at Banaras Hindu University, Prof. Rana P. B. Singh, gave a geometrical and cartographical account of 324 forms of Shiva temples in Varanasi. He concluded his lecture by using some scientific findings to testify the rituals practiced in places such as Lolark in Kashi.

Prof. Gyaneshwar Choubey, Department of Zoology, made a presentation on DNA ancestry of Kashi and Tamil Nadu. Citing research and data, Prof. Choubey said that though Africa is the birthplace of modern humans, India served as a nurturing place to them. He said that Kashi and Tamil ancestry is founded over the same genetic components.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sudhir Kumar Jain welcomed the chief guest Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.

Dr. Jyoti Rohilla, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, moderated the session. Prof. Binda Pranjape, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, and coordinator of the academic sessions, delivered the vote of thanks.

Kumari Archana, Kumari Alka and Nivedita Shyam, students of Faculty of Performing Arts, presented the Kulgeet of Banaras Hindu University.