Participants from Varanasi experience Kashi-Kanchi vibrant cultural bond in Tamil Nadu
Varanasi: Participants who travelled to Tamil Nadu as representatives under the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 programme described the journey as a vibrant experience, showcasing the cultural bridge between Kashi and Kanchi. Acharya Abhinav Shankar, a research scholar in the Department of Astrology at Banaras Hindu University, who took part in Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, said that visiting Tamil Nadu was a matter of great fortune and pride for him. He said, “On this occasion, we are representing not only the city of Kashi but also Banaras Hindu University. As a student of Sanskrit, witnessing this confluence of cultures has been an especially meaningful experience for me.”
Abhinav Shankar said that during this trip, he had the opportunity to learn the Tamil language with the Kanchipuram group. He said that this is a pleasant and memorable experience for him. Here, we practice Tamil daily, savour South Indian cuisine and visit temples of historical and mythological significance, gaining a close understanding of their architecture and unique features, he added.
Ankita Pandey, a research scholar in the Hindi department at BHU, said that during this trip, she had the opportunity to visit Kanchipuram, one of the seven sacred cities of India, located in Tamil Nadu. Interacting with the people there, she felt that whether in Kashi or Kanchi, the spirit of the people is truly Indian. She also had the chance to witness and appreciate the remarkable confluence of India’s rich heritage, its historic sites, art, religion, philosophy and architecture. She observed the similarities between the Shaivite and Vaishnavite devotional traditions and the sacred traditions of Kashi. Being among such warm and welcoming people gave her a profound sense of fulfilment and joy.
Another representative, Swati Shri, stated that this fourth edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, reflecting the vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, serves as a foundation for the future. For the first time, nearly three hundred students from Kashi had the opportunity to bridge the thousands of miles between the two regions. These students were divided into ten groups and sent to different cities in Tamil Nadu and she had the chance to visit Kanchipuram. She said that a performance of the folk dance and music form called “Kattuk” was also presented. “We also had the opportunity to learn Silambam, a local martial art. This opportunity is nothing short of a blessing for me, to be a part of this link in the ancient relationship established between Kashi and Tamil Nadu. “This experience has been nothing short of a blessing, allowing me to be a part of the enduring cultural link between Kashi and Tamil Nadu,” she added. Tamil Nadu, which embodies India’s ancient culture and traditions, holds Kashi in every fiber of its being.