India, Dec. 7 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
The third academic session, part of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, was held at the Pt. Omkarnath Thakur Auditorium of Banaras Hindu University. This session was for Group 3-writers and media professionals. The panel discussion, titled "Cultural Embeddedness and Civilizational Continuities: Kashi-Tamil Relations," featured Mr. Amitabh Bhattacharya, Prof. Sadanand Shahi, Prof. Sisir Basu, Prof. A. Gangadharan, Dr. Tulsiraman P., and two members of the KTS delegation-Mr. Dilipan Pugal and Ms. Hari Swetha. The session was moderated by Prof. Banibrata Mahanta and Dr. K. Lakshmanan. The CPR process was demonstrated during the event, and the Writers' Club gifted 14 Tamil language books to the university.
In his welcome address, Prof. Sanjay Kumar stated that Kashi and Tamil culture are two pillars of a single civilization. Citing figures like the Nayanars, Alvars, the great poet Subramania Bharati, and Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, he explained how their spiritual and philosophical traditions have connected Kashi and Tamil Nadu. Describing Varanasi as a "journey of pluralism," senior journalist Mr. Amitabh Bhattacharya said that the Kashi Tamil Sangamam is not actually the fourth, but the "four thousandth edition," as this dialogue has continued since ancient times. Prof. Sadanand Shahi highlighted Alvar poetry, the communication tradition of Andal, and the spread of the Bhakti movement.
Prof. Sisir Basu said that communication is culture, and culture is communication; if we lose communication, we will lose our diversity. Prof. A. Gangadharan, discussing the scholarly tradition of the Tamil Sangams, explained that the 484 Kashi Vishwanath temples in Tamil Nadu are a testament to Kashi-Tamil cultural unity. Ms. Hari Swetha said that technology is becoming a new medium for devotion and spirituality among the youth today. Mr. Dilipan Pugal referred to the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata preserved in Tamil folk art and compared Kashi to a tree whose branches spread across the country. At the beginning of the session, Dr. Shivashakti Prasad Dwivedi demonstrated CPR, which was translated into Tamil by Dr. Tulsiraman.
As part of their visit, the delegation also visited Bharat Kala Bhavan, where they viewed the Chola-era bronze Nataraja statue, gifted to the museum by the then Tamil Nadu Governor Sri Prakasa in 1956. The delegates described it as a deeply inspiring experience, gaining a deeper understanding of India's ancient sculptural tradition, Shaivism, and Chola craftsmanship. Bharat Kala Bhavan officials stated that the statue is one of the museum's rarest and most valuable treasures, symbolizing Indian cultural unity. The delegates commended its preservation and presentation, noting that this historic gift has further strengthened Kashi-Tamil civilizational ties.
In addition, the delegates visited the "Great Archives" at the Malaviya Centre for Values Research, where they viewed rare photographs, letters, and documents relating to the founding of BHU, the contributions of Mahamana Malaviya, and the pre-independence era. This visit provided them with a deep insight into the university's historical development and its role in national renaissance.
Disclaimer: The original story of this translated version is available on Press Information Bureau.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
