CM Palaniswami urges PM Modi to include experts from Tamil Nadu in panel studying Indian culture

Chennai, September 23: While taking an Objection on the expert committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Culture, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami wrote a letter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He urged PM Modi to intervene and direct the Ministry of Culture to reconstitute the expert's committee by inducting eminent scholars from Tamil Nadu.

 

 

 

In his letter, the Chief Minister expressed his wonderment over how the Ministry of Culture has chosen to ignore experts from any of the southern states, especially from Tamil Nadu, which has a glorious past and is home to the Dravidian civilization and is a living and thriving culture in the south of India.

 

 

The recent archaeological excavations in Keeladi and other parts of Tamil Nadu revealed that the world-reputed Sangam era can now be dated back to as early as 6th century BCE. Palaniswami underlined that any chronicle of the Indian history and culture would be incomplete without giving its rightful place to Tamil culture and language.

 

Taking about the Tamil heritage he said, "If you recall, Sir, around this time last year you visited Mahabalipuram where you had observed the awe-inspiring timeless monuments and glorious legacy of Tamil heritage in full splendor. Referring to this he said You will, therefore, agree with me that any chronicle of Indian history and culture would be grossly incomplete without giving its rightful place to Tamil culture and language."

This particular 16-member committee announced by Prahlad Patel, Minister for Culture, has drawn a lot of flak from academicians and political leaders alike. The Union Ministry of Culture recently constituted an expert committee to conduct a holistic study of the origin and evolution of Indian culture during the past 12 millennia, and its interface with other cultures of the world.