VARANASI: The Kashi Tamil Sangamam, which is going to be possible due to vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will not only help improve the bonding between people of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu but also help the generations, which have moved away in the past two to three decades, become aware of the depth of their culture and traditions again, said Kashi Tamil Sangh secretary VS Subramaniam Mani here on Thursday.
Enthused on becoming a part of the month-long Kashi Tamil Sangamam commencing on Saturday, Vedic scholar and Kashi Vishwanath Trust member Venkat R Ghanpathi said, “We are seeing this event as a confluence of cultures flourished along great rivers- Ganga and Kaveri. It will encourage the youngsters to preserve their culture and will also boost tourism.”
Reactions of Tamils settled here for generations came when TOI spoke to them to know their moods ahead of the extravaganza.
“My father had shifted to this city and I was born here in 1957. But, it is for the first time we feel that our presence is being recognised,” K Shivram Krisnan, a retired employee of BHU.
Fluently speaking in Bhojpuri, another Tamilian said, “We call ourselves Banarasi Tamils and feel proud in speaking Bhojpuri, though we have not left our mother tongue, roots and culture.”
A retired hotel employee, Shivkumar Bhardwaj said, “There is an enthusiasm among Banarasi Tamils. People of the fraternity are uniting by forming new WhatsApp groups.”
Talking about the relevance of Kashi-Tamil Sammelan, Mani, who is also in-charge of Kanchi Shankaracharya Mutt--a branch of Kanchi Kamkoti Peetham in Kashi--said, “It is being felt that conversion especially in remote areas of Tamil Nadu is increasing due to the migration.
Kanchi Kamkoti Peetham has started a mission in the name of ‘Sampradaya’ in Tamil Nadu to combat this problem by educating girls and enabling them to learn about their own culture. Many other organisations are also making similar efforts. Kashi Tamil Sangamam is also going to inspire the new generation, especially women, to feel proud of their own culture, tradition and roots so that they can transfer it to their next generations.”
“There are around 1,000 Tamil families in Varanasi and many of them are dwelling for eight generations”, said Mani, mentioning that his Sangh was extending all possible support to the district administration and organising committee for Kashi Tamil Samagamam. Sangamam participants will also visit Hanuman Ghat and be offered prasad from Mutt, he added.
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