Tamil Karkalam offers 284 Varanasi students a vibrant experience of Tamil Nadu’s language, culture and lifestyle
Chennai/Varanasi : Under the second phase of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, an initiative aimed at strengthening India’s cultural unity, linguistic harmony and civilisational continuity, a total of 284 students selected from various educational institutions in Varanasi have been sent to Tamil Nadu as part of the ‘Tamil Karkalam’ campaign. These students have been divided into 10 different groups and are staying at prestigious educational institutions in Tamil Nadu, including IIT Madras, Sri Sankara College, Kanchipuram, Pondicherry University and other institutions. During their stay, the students are formally studying the Tamil language and are also gaining first-hand exposure to Tamil Nadu’s rich cultural heritage, traditions, cuisine, architectural legacy and social life.
Continuing the programme, four groups of students today undertook an educational and cultural tour of the World Heritage monuments in Mahabalipuram, a historical town in Tamil Nadu, including the Shore Temple (8th century) and the Pancha Rathas. On the occasion, the students closely observed and gained insights into Pallava-era architectural excellence, coastal religious traditions, and India’s ancient architectural culture. This visit proved to be a rare opportunity for the students to experience history and culture in a vibrant way, beyond the confines of books.
During their visit, Rahul Kumar, a student staying at IIT Madras, shared his experiences, saying that coming to Tamil Nadu has given him the opportunity to witness a wonderful blend of discipline, simplicity, and cultural richness. He mentioned that the method of teaching the Tamil language here is extremely easy and practical, making language learning enjoyable. He feels a sense of home while savouring local Tamil dishes like idli, dosa, sambar and pongal and this trip is becoming an unforgettable experience for him.
Abhay Gupta, a student participating in the programme in Kanchipuram, said that studying in a historical and spiritual city like Kanchipuram is a matter of great pride for him. He explained that the temples, textile traditions and local lifestyle here demonstrate how deeply Tamil culture is rooted in its values and traditions. Along with learning the language, he is also experiencing how the cultural streams of North and South India, though distinct, are connected by a shared Indian consciousness.
Student Ananya shared her experience, stating that the warmth, simplicity and cultural harmony of the people of Tamil Nadu have deeply impressed her. She mentioned that experiencing Tamil cuisine, folk music, traditional greetings and visiting historical sites has broadened her perspective. Seeing monuments like the Shore Temple and the Pancha Rathas firsthand brought history to life for her, further strengthening her sense of the unity inherent in India’s diversity.
It is noteworthy that the students are receiving Tamil language training from experienced teachers associated with the Central Institute of Classical Tamil. Along with classroom instruction, the language is being taught in a practical manner through conversations, cultural activities and immersion in the local environment. All the students are extremely pleased and excited to taste traditional Tamil cuisine, making their entire stay both enriching and enjoyable.
This second phase of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, embodying the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, is further strengthening the cultural bridge between North and South India. The programme is scheduled to conclude on December 30 in Rameswaram, where a grand closing ceremony will be held in the esteemed presence of the Honourable Vice President, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, the Union Education Minister, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and the Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri R. N. Ravi. This event will celebrate the timeless cultural ties between Kashi and Tamil Nadu.
