Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed Tamil culture as a shared heritage of not only Bharat, but of all humanity. He noted that Kashi-Tamil Sangamam highlighted its greatness, celebrated the living unity of India’s many traditions while honouring their unique identities, and reinforced the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Great India).”
In a blog titled “Kashi-Tamil Sangamam and a tribute to ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’”, Mr. Modi recounted a “Mann Ki Baat” episode in which he had said that not learning Tamil was a major regret of his life.
He said the government has launched various programmes to further popularise Tamil culture across India. One such initiative is the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam that “stands out as a truly distinctive initiative, one that celebrates the living unity of India’s many traditions while honouring their unique identities”. It has delivered outcomes like “strengthening cultural understanding, fostering academic and people-to-people exchanges, and creating lasting bonds between parts of the country that share a civilisational ethos”.
“And what can be a better place than Kashi to host such a Sangamam. The same Kashi, which has remained a civilisational anchor from time immemorial… where, for thousands of years, people from all over have come in search of knowledge, meaning and Moksha,” said Mr. Modi, adding that Kashi’s connection with Tamil people and culture is very deep.
“Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu is known as Kashi of the South or Dakshin Kashi. Saint Kumaraguruparar Swamigal forged a lasting link between Kashi and Tamil Nadu through his spirituality, scholarship and institution-building. Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, one of Tamil Nadu’s greatest sons, found in Kashi a space of intellectual growth and spiritual awakening,” he said.
The first edition of Sangamam took place in 2022, and subsequent ones expanded the scale and depth of the efforts. “Tholkappiyam, the ancient Tamil literary classic, was translated into four Indian and six foreign languages… Sage Agastya Vehicle Expedition was undertaken from Tenkasi to Kashi,” the Prime Minister said.
“The expedition paid homage to King Adi Veera Parakrama Pandiyan, the great Pandya ruler who spread the message of cultural oneness… one of the things that makes me most happy about the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam is the participation of thousands of youngsters,” he said. Railways operated special trains from Tamil Nadu to Uttar Pradesh.
Mr. Modi said the people of Kashi and Uttar Pradesh showed warmth and hospitality to the delegates and the local administration worked diligently to ensure their comfort. “As the MP from Varanasi, I could not be prouder!,” he said. The valedictory of the 2025 Sangamam was held in Rameswaram and graced by Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, who is from Tamil Nadu.
On Wednesday, Mr. Modi joined the Pongal celebrations at the residence of Union Minister L. Murugan, also attended by the cast of the recently released film Parasakthi. Addressing the gathering, he said Pongal has now become a global festival. “In our Tamil life, Pongal is like a joyful experience, embodying gratitude towards the farmers’ hard work, the Earth, and the Sun. It also shows us the way to maintain balance in our lives,” he said.
“Our Tamil culture is a shared heritage not only of India, but all of humanity…,” said Mr. Modi, adding that Pongal inspired people to ensure that the gratitude towards nature was not limited to mere words, but became a part of their lifestyle. “When the Earth gives us so much, it is our responsibility to conserve it,” he said, and listed several government schemes that further the goal.
Stating that the Tamil culture was one of the oldest living civilisations in the world, he said it learns from history and shows the way forward to the present. Inspired by this, today’s Bharat was drawing strength from its roots and moving towards new possibilities.
The Prime Minister extended his best wishes to the people celebrating Pongal and other festivals, such as Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Magh Bihu, in different parts of the country.
Published – January 15, 2026 12:26 am IST
