Chennai, Nov 3 : IIT Madras hosted the curtain-raiser event for the fifth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam on Tuesday, highlighting the historic cultural, literary and spiritual connections between Tamil Nadu and Kashi (Varanasi).
Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar attended the event as the chief guest. IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti and other key stakeholders were also present.
The fifth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 will focus on promoting India’s classical literature and shared cultural heritage, with special attention to youth and student participation.
Thirukkural to Reach Students Across India
One of the major objectives of this edition is to encourage young people to read and understand the Thirukkural in their native languages.
As part of this initiative, a nationwide student engagement programme will encourage students in higher educational institutions to study the text, understand its ethical and philosophical teachings, and promote its values within their campuses.
Educational programmes, multilingual learning materials and digital outreach activities will also be organised to make the Thirukkural accessible to a wider audience.
‘We Were Always Ek Bharat, Ek Sanskriti’: TN Governor
Addressing the event, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar highlighted the long-standing cultural and spiritual relationship between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.
He said that Kashi and Tamil Nadu have shared strong cultural, traditional and historical connections for thousands of years. He also pointed to the spiritual significance of Kashi Vishwanath and Rameswaram as symbols of India’s cultural unity and national integration.
Arlekar said that traditions such as carrying Gangajal to Rameswaram and taking sacred water from Rameswaram to the Ganga reflect the deep emotional and spiritual bond between different parts of the country.
“The Kashi Tamil Sangamam reminds us again and again that we were always Ek Bharat, Ek Sanskriti,” he said.
He added that such cultural programmes play an important role in highlighting India’s unity in thoughts, traditions and heritage.
IIT Madras Director Explains the Theme of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0
IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti said that the main objective of the fifth edition is to take the Thirukkural, one of India’s most valuable literary contributions, to a global audience.
The theme of this edition is ‘Thirukkural Pailvom’, which means ‘Let Us Learn the Thirukkural’.
Kamakoti said the initiative aims to encourage students and young people in Kashi to study the Thirukkural and explore its teachings through research papers.
He added that the programme would help introduce the timeless values and philosophical ideas of the ancient Tamil text to people across India and around the world.
Youth Participation to Be a Major Focus
Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 will give special importance to involving students and younger generations in cultural activities.
Through educational programmes, research initiatives and multilingual outreach, the event aims to strengthen awareness of India’s classical literature, traditional knowledge systems and shared cultural heritage.
The initiative also seeks to deepen the historical and cultural relationship between Tamil Nadu and Kashi while promoting the idea of national unity through India’s diverse traditions.
