On the evening of December 10, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi addressed an esteemed audience at a book release event held at Raj Bhavan, where he highlighted the profound cultural and literary heritage of Tamil Nadu. He emphasised the state’s historical contribution to the nation, stating that Tamil Nadu had produced many great souls, saints, and rishis who illuminated the entire nation of Bharat. Governor Ravi particularly noted that Tamil, one of the oldest living languages, has a rich cultural legacy, which continues to inspire and shape the Indian subcontinent.
During the event, Governor Ravi expressed his gratitude to the publisher, Pasuthai Gandesh, for bringing out a book that offered an honest and concise account of the works of Tamil literary scholars. Ravi remarked on the growing interest in publishing national literature in Tamil Nadu, despite challenges the region’s literature has faced over the years.
The Governor spoke at length about the adversity Tamil literature has suffered, especially over the past two centuries. He attributed the first 150 years of this trauma to British colonial rule, during which Tamil literature was downplayed and sidelined in favor of English-medium education. He noted that British authorities had deliberately suppressed Tamil works, replacing them with curriculum that failed to acknowledge Tamil’s vast literary contributions.
A Cultural Legacy Under Threat
Ravi expressed concern over the erosion of Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage after India’s independence. He criticized the subsequent political climate, influenced by Dravidian ideology, which, according to him, focused on creating divisions between the past and present of Tamil culture. He lamented that the promotion of Sangam literature, while important, had led to a denial of the state’s full cultural heritage. This, he argued, has resulted in a loss of understanding of the state’s ancient literary contributions, including the works of several renowned Tamil poets.
Governor Ravi pointed out that even though Tamil is one of the world’s oldest languages, its rich literary tradition is being undermined in modern education. He raised a crucial point about the lack of teaching and recognition of Tamil literature in schools and colleges, especially in subjects like history, political science, and literature. The Governor highlighted that the 19th-century history of Tamil Nadu excessively praised British colonialism, particularly the supposed social justice they brought. Meanwhile, the literature of the 20th century, according to Ravi, was overly focused on Dravidian icons and did not reflect the breadth of Tamil’s literary achievements, including the works of Mahakavi Bharathi, a key figure in Tamil literature.
“Reinterpreting history to fit political ideologies is a grave injustice,” said Ravi. He explained that the third generation of people in Tamil Nadu today are increasingly disconnected from their rich cultural heritage, which has been systematically overlooked by educational institutions.
The Importance of Ancient Texts
Governor Ravi shared a personal anecdote about a senior politician who had presented him with a copy of the ancient Tamil text Tholkappiyam, but Ravi suspected that the politician had not read the text. He emphasized that Tholkappiyam, the oldest extant Tamil grammar text, is an essential part of Tamil literature, describing how the poet Tholkappiyar traveled across the country, engaging with scholars, to compose the work. Ravi pointed out that Tholkappiyam was approved by the great scholar Athangkott Aasan, who was well-versed in the Vedas, and it was presented to the Pandya king’s court.
Despite this rich history, Governor Ravi remarked on how some individuals persistently disparage Sanatan Dharma, creating a “proxy culture” that denies Tamil Nadu’s great heritage. He passionately argued that such actions are damaging to the cultural identity of Tamil Nadu and Bharat as a whole.
Tamil Nadu: A ‘Punya Bhoomi’ and Cultural Capital
Governor Ravi also praised Tamil Nadu’s status as a “punya bhoomi” or a sacred land, one that has produced many revered souls, saints, sages, and scholars who have illuminated not only the state but the entire world. He described the state as the cultural capital of Bharat, a truth acknowledged globally.
He also mentioned the Bhakti movement, which originated in Tamil Nadu and spread across the country, particularly to the northern parts of Bharat. Ravi pointed out that during times when northern India was under foreign rule and facing cultural destruction, the southern region preserved its cultural and religious traditions. He cited Kambar, the Tamil poet who wrote the Ramayana, and how his work inspired Tulsidas, who then composed the Ram Charit Manas in Hindi. This work became immensely popular in northern India, serving as a unifying force during difficult times.
Governor Ravi stressed the significance of the book being released at the event, emphasizing that it would serve as a valuable resource for young generations. The book, he said, would shed light on Tamil Nadu’s pride and heritage, which have been overshadowed by modern educational and political agendas.
India’s Rising Global Status
The Governor also highlighted India’s current trajectory under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pointing out that the country is experiencing rapid economic growth and is set to become the third-largest economy in the world in the near future. “Just a decade ago, the world did not take India seriously. Today, they look to us for support and guidance,” he said, celebrating India’s increasing global influence.
A Call to Preserve and Promote Tamil Literature
The event concluded with remarks from the Perur Mutt Seer, Santhalingam Maruthachala Adigalar, who appealed to the Classical Tamil Institute to include key Tamil texts, such as Nalayira Divya Prabandam and Thiruvagasagam, in their curriculum and spread them globally to showcase the richness of Tamil literature.
The book release ceremony was attended by several notable figures, including Professor Chandrasekar, Director of the Classical Tamil Institute, and Dr Sudha Seshayan, the Vice Chairman of the Institute. The event served as a reminder of Tamil Nadu’s cultural significance and the importance of preserving and promoting its literary heritage for future generations.
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