The spirit of Kashi Tamil Sangamam, a nationwide cultural festival, continues to resonate globally as Indian missions in various countries host events showcasing the longstanding connections between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. This grand cultural confluence is currently taking place in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, from February 15.
On Tuesday, the Indian Embassy in Cambodia organized a seminar to commemorate the third edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS). The seminar focused on the significant contributions of Sage Agastya to Indian traditional medicine and Tamil literature. The event, held in Phnom Penh, saw the participation of several members of the Indian diaspora in Cambodia, including members of the Tamil Sangam.
Sage Agathiyar, also known as Agastya, is a revered figure in Hindu mythology, celebrated for his wisdom, spiritual teachings, and cultural impact. He played a crucial role in bridging the cultures of North and South India. He is also widely known for his expertise in Siddha, an ancient Indian system of medicine. Agastya is regarded as the Father of Tamil literature, and it is believed that he compiled the earliest Tamil grammar book, Agathiyam.
Similarly, the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur, in collaboration with the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre, hosted an event marking the inauguration of KTS 3.0. High Commissioner B.N. Reddy addressed the gathering, emphasizing that the objective of KTS 3.0 is to rediscover and reinforce the centuries-old link between Kashi and Tamil Nadu, two ancient centers of knowledge in India. He encouraged the Tamil diaspora in Malaysia to participate in large numbers at the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0 event in Varanasi.
At the event, speeches were delivered by Nedunchelian Vengu and Vaidyar Sanjay Kumar Ramachandran on the theme of KTS 3.0, highlighting the “Contribution of Sage Agastya in Classical Tamil Literature and Grammar” and “Contribution to the Siddha System of Medicine,” respectively. Both speakers were honored for their contributions. The event saw attendance from approximately 100 people, including representatives from various community associations, members of PEPTIM—a group representing practitioners of Traditional Indian Medicine in Malaysia—and media representatives.
The Consulate General of India in Houston also organized a special event to mark Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0 on February 16, in collaboration with Indian diaspora organizations. A panel discussion titled “Sage Agastya’s Contributions – Work, Wisdom & Influence” was held, featuring insights from Naga Ganesan, Thangavel Vijayalakshmi, Rajesh Garga, and Soundar Jeyabal. The Consulate shared details of the event through a social media post. A large number of Indian-American community members attended, making the event a successful and engaging cultural exchange.
Kashi Tamil Sangamam is a prestigious cultural initiative organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with multiple ministries and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. This initiative aims to bring together scholars, students, philosophers, traders, artisans, artists, and people from diverse fields to exchange knowledge, share cultural traditions, and adopt best practices through mutual learning.
“Kashi Tamil Sangamam begins. A celebration of the timeless civilizational bonds between Kashi and Tamil Nadu, this forum brings together the spiritual, cultural, and historical connections that have flourished for centuries. It also highlights the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat.’ I do urge all of you to be a part of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2025!” Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote in a post on X, encouraging participation in next year’s event.