world tamil conferance

THE WORLD TAMIL CONFERENCE
RE AFFIRMATION OF THE GREATNESS OF TAMIL LANGUAGE AND ITS CLASSIC LITERATURE
V. Shanmuganathan
The First world Classical Tamil Conference held in Coimbatore between 23rd and 27th of June
2010 was conducted in a grand manner. 3000 delegates from 50 countries presented their
research papers on the uniqueness and antiquity of the Tamil language, culture, art and society.
More than 2.4 lakhs people are estimated to have visited the venue. The Exhibition hall, Tamil
Internet IT Hall, Conference main pandal and food courts were buzzing with life.
The conference was inaugurated with pomp and splendor. An eight kilometer stretch of
the pageant was titled as “Iniyavai Naarpathu” or “Sweet Forty”. The three hour procession
of colourful floats was one of the many highlights. They provided vivid images of the
achievements of the Tamil People. Literary excellence, economic strength, love, friendship,
devotion, valour, love for nature, unity, architecture, pioneering in the shipping trade, the bravery
of women, the sacrifice of revolutionary warriors, the contribution of farmers and an emphasis
on environmental protection were themes represented by the floats. The aim was to highlight
the greatness and uniqueness of the Tamil Language. Compaired to the previous 8 world tamiln
conferences, this one by far exceeded all expectations.
Literature goes back 3,000 years and reflects universal elements such as harmony, art of
antiquity, Style or content such as reason, clarity, order, restrain, humanitarian outlook. It has
a body of ancient literature meeting the core attributes of Classicism and is held as a valuable
heritage bequedthed in to us. The literary tradition is original and not borrowed. The Tamil
classical language and literature are distinct and modern having a distinct grammer of its own.
President, Pratibha Devi Singh Patil hailed Tamil as having the oldest literature among the
living languages of the World. She said “Tirukkural” written by “Thiruvalluvar was a remarkable
treatise on ethics. “Silapathikaram” and “manimekalai” were works of excellence as were the
epics of Kamba Ramayanam and Jeevaka Chintamani. The soul – stirring hymns of Nayanmars
and Alvars.
The poems and songs of Subramanya Bharati evoked in the minds of the people “Deep feelings
of patriotism during our freedom struggle”. She emphasized the point that the history of the
Tamils is our Nation’s pride. Tamils have contributed in a big way to India’s progress and in
shaping its identity as a nation that is rich in art, music, architecture and literature. The next
generation of Tamils must anchor as well as ‘equip themselves with knowledge of Tamil culture,
literature and values.
Mr. Iravatham Mahadevan an IAS Officer (Retd) an Epigraphist, Tamil scholar says that “The
legend that Sanskrit and Tamil emerged from the two sides of the damaru (drum) of Shiva says
it all – the immemorial antiquity and the equal divine status accord in our tradition to the two
languages recognized as classical.
Mr. M. Karunanidhy delivered the valedictory address of the five day conference. He said that
a Rs. 100 crore fund would be established for Tamil Development. He also said that, efforts
would be taken to translate well known Tamil works into other languages. Significant works
of other languages would also be translated into Tamil. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee who presided
over the valedictory function expressed the hope that the conference would inspire many more
accomplishments in future.
Fortunately D.M.K. and its leaders have kept their atheism and anti god feelings away from the
conference hall. Real Tamil language is full of patriotism, national, culture and spiritual feelings.
(The writer can be contacted through email id : vsnathan7666@gmail.com