Youth must pass on legacy of Tamil language, urges Minister

MADURAI

Several words used in Sangam literature are still spoken and understood and this is the speciality of Tamil language, said Minister for Industries, Tamil Culture and Archaeology Thangam Thennarasu on Wednesday.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the seven-day camp titled ‘Ilainthamizhar Ilakkiya Payirchi Pattarai’ organised by the Department of Tamil Development here. Two hundred college students from across the State, who won in elocution competitions held by the Department, have earned a chance to participate in the workshop.

The Minister said that the workshop was aimed at training the future generations who will be responsible to continue and pass on the legacy of the Tamil language to the upcoming generations. He said the workshop was a platform for students to learn through extensive and interesting dialogues with the 36 trainers.

Speaking of Tamil, one among the classical languages still being widely spoken across the globe, Mr Thennarasu said the antiques unearthed at Keeladi excavation clusters have proven the prevalence of high literacy level even 2,600 years ago. “Even a humble potter or a farmer was literate enough to engrave his name on the earthen pots. Such is our rich history, especially its continued legacy,” he noted.

The many stone inscriptions installed at the Keeladi Museum yet again proves that Tamil language has strong and deep roots, and the various literary works teaches one the ethics of life, he added.

He urged the participants and the public to visit the Keeladi museum as well as visit the many culturally significant places in Madurai.

Pointing out that Collector S. Aneesh Sekhar in his speech mentioned that he “loves Tamil more and has turned into a Tamil at heart” though his mother tongue was Malayalam, Mr Thennarasu said, “Tamil language has the power to unite us all”.