Kashi, TN timeless centres of culture, civilisation: PM
Modi inaugurates Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, underlines need to remove linguistic differences
VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described his parliamentary constituency Varanasi (Kashi) and Tamil Nadu (TN) as timeless centers of culture and civilisation. Stressing on “removing linguistic differences and establishing emotional unity,” he said, “It’s the responsibility of all 130 crore Indians to preserve the language (Tamil) and our country’s legacy.” Ignoring Tamil will be a great disservice to the nation, he said.
He was speaking at the formal inauguration of the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam at the Banaras Hindu University amphitheatre ground here. The Kashi-Tamil Sangamam is unique in itself and important, he said.
Aiming to revive the centuries-old cultural ties between Kashi and Tamil Nadu, the event is being organised by the Union ministry of education in collaboration with Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and IIT Madras.
‘’If we ignore Tamil we do a great disservice to the nation and if we keep Tamil confined in restrictions, we will do great harm to it. We have to remember to remove linguistic differences and establish emotional unity,” Modi said.
“In our country, there is an importance of ‘sangams’ (confluences). From the confluence of rivers and streams to ideas-ideology, knowledge-science and societies-cultures, we have celebrated all the confluences,” he said. “It is as pious as that of the Ganga and the Yamuna,” the PM added. The Kashi-Tamil Sangamam is a celebration of India’s diversity and uniqueness. It is special on its own and is unparalleled, he said.
Kashi and Tamil Nadu are also centres of the world’s oldest languages like Sanskrit and Tamil, the prime minister noted.
He said it’s the responsibility of every Indian to preserve their culture and heritage.
“Both Kashi and Tamil Nadu are timeless centres for culture and religion. One (Kashi) has Sanskrit and Tamil Nadu is gifted with Tamil, the country’s oldest spoken language. Kashi has the temple of Kashi Vishwanath whereas Tamil Nadu has the blessings of Bhagwan Rameshwaram. Both the places have their own importance,” he said, starting his address with the chants of Har Har Mahadev and Vanakkam (welcome in Tamil language) Kashi and Vanakkam Tamil Nadu.
“Both Kashi and Tamil Nadu are ‘Shivmay’ (drenched in the devotion of Lord Shiv) and ‘Shaktimay’ (drenched in the devotion of Goddess Shakti),” he said at the event.
While the cultural capital Kashi has encapsulated entire India, “our Tamil Nadu and the Tamil culture represent the pride in India’s ancient legacy”, he said.
Other than being linked spiritually, PM said both Kashi and TN are also the sources of classical music and literature.
“On one side we have Kashi’s tabla and other side we have Tamil Nadu’s ‘thanimai’. If one finds Banarasi saree in Varanasi, then the Kanjivaram silk of Tamil Nadu is world famous,” Modi said.
“Kashi is birthplace of Bhakt Tulsi and Tamil Nadu is that of saint Thiruvalluvar,” he said.
Highlighting contributions made by scholars from the South, Modi said, “’In my experience, from Ramanujacharya and Shankaracharya to Rajaji and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (who was the former Vice-Chancellor of BHU and went on to become President of India), without understanding the philosophy of India as per the scholars of the South, we cannot know India.”
“Other famous personalities include Rajesh Shastri, a famous “Veda Vidwan” from TN established Sang Ved and Vidya Ved institution on Ram Ghat in Kashi. Patta Viram Shastri, a litterateur, who stayed at Kashi’s Hanuman Ghat is known for his contributions,” PM added.
The prime minister said that a country with a rich heritage should be proud of its legacy.
There is a Dakshin Kashi in Tamil Nadu too, the prime minister noted.
He said Kashi-Kanchi have an important place among the ‘Sapta Puris’, the seven pilgrimage centres that, according to Hindu beliefs, lead to salvation.
The Sapta Puris are - Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya (Mayapuri or Haridwar), Kashi (Varanasi), Kanchi (Kanchipuram), Avantika (Ujjain) and Dwaravati (Dwaraka). He said there is a Kashi Kamkotteshwar temple at Harishchandra Ghat. Kedar Ghat has the 200-year-old
Kumar Swami Math. Markande Ashram has many families, whose generations have contributed in shaping the Kashi which we see today, Modi said.
He said there was a dire need to strengthen the ties between the two places that are separated by distance but connected by culture and spirituality.
“Any such steps have not been taken before to preserve our country’s rich heritage. There are countries like Egypt that brag about their pyramids that is its heritage. Italy talks about its leaning tower of Pisa but we in India, despite having the oldest spoken language (Tamil) of the world, lack in celebrating such legacy. It’s the responsibility of all 130 crore Indians to preserve the language and our country’s legacy,” he said.
He said such events should also be organised in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country in order to make the present generation aware of our country’s rich culture and heritage.
The prime minister also pointed out a connection with Kashi, also known as Benaras, in Tamil weddings. This is the tradition of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat’, which our ancestors had lived, and the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam is carrying forward that pride,” he added. PM released books on Tirukkural (a classic Tamil language text) and KashiTamil culture.
The event also saw the cultural events by Tamil artistes Kasim and Babu whose grandfathers used to play Shehnai with Ustad Bismillah Khan.
Noted musician Ilayaraja, a Rajya Sabha member, too performed during the event.