Page 32 - Mann Ki Baat December 2022

Kashi-Tamil Sangamam - A Magnificent

Cultural Confluence of the North & South

dream of Mahakavi Bharatiyar,
and it is the vision of our Prime
Minister Honouring the cultural
unity of India that has lived on
for thousands of years, it is a
unique, month-long confluence
initiated by the Government
of India, aiming to celebrate,
reaffirm and rediscover the age-
old links between Tamil Nadu and
Kashi – two of the country’s most
important and ancient seats of
learning.
Dr. L. Murugan Tamil Nadu and Kashi have
an incalculable bond over the
Minister of State, Ministry of years. Kashi, one of the oldest
Information & Broadcasting living cities of the world, has been
central to India’s cultural ethos.
Tamil Nadu and Tamil culture are
the centres of India's antiquity
With a collective vision to and pride. Kashi and Tamil Nadu
celebrate our nation’s unity in have been timeless centres of
diversity and ignite the sense of our culture and civilisation. If in
togetherness among the diverse Kashi there is Baba Vishwanath,
set of communities, religions then in Tamil Nadu there is the
and languages, the 'Ek Bharat blessing of Lord Rameshwaram.
Shreshtha Bharat' programme Both Kashi and Tamil Nadu
was announced by Prime Minister are ‘Shivmay’ (drenched in the
Narendra Modi on October, 31. 2015. devotion of Lord Shiva).
Ever since, the idea of a sustained Kashi and Tamil Nadu share
and structured cultural connection a long-standing historical
between people of different and civilizational connection.
regions was mooted by the Prime There is an age-old tradition of
Minister, it was exuberantly revered pilgrimage between these two
in India by its people. great places. Throughout our
India is a unique nation, history, this strong bond has been
whose fabric has been woven restrengthened by the common
by diverse linguistic, cultural and people as well as by the kings.
religious threads, held together One of the famous stories is that
into a composite national of King Parakrama Pandya of
identity by a rich history of Madurai. It is said that he visited
cultural evolution, coupled with Kashi to bring a Shiva Lingam for
a freedom struggle that was built the temple of Lord Shiva which he
around the universally cherished wanted to build. While returning
values. Ek Bharat Shreshtha back, he stopped at some place
Bharat is thus the recognition of to take rest. But, when he got up,
the spirit of unity in diversity. to resume his journey, the cow
The Kashi-Tamil Sangamam carrying the Lingam refused
is reflection of this spirit. It was the to move. The King thought it

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