A significant academic and cultural event unfolded at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi on Monday, as part of the ongoing Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) 4.0. The programme, themed "Divine Connection," saw enthusiastic participation from Group 7, which comprised classical singers, teachers of spiritual texts, and spiritual orators.
Scholars and Artists Gather for Cultural Confluence
The event attracted a vibrant mix of scholars, artists, students, and delegates hailing from both Tamil Nadu and Kashi. The primary academic session was graced by the chief guest, Prof V Balaji, an eminent violinist and representative artist from Tamil Nadu who currently resides in Varanasi. In his insightful address, Prof. Balaji traced the historical journey of classical music between the two regions.
He recalled the presence of the Tamil Sangam in Kashi since the 1960s, underlining the profound and enduring spiritual and cultural bonds that connect the south and the north of India. Drawing a powerful parallel, he explained the broader meaning of 'Sangamam' as a confluence, likening it to the meeting of rivers.
Symbolic Union of Traditions and Rivers
Prof. Balaji eloquently connected the Ganga Snan of Kashi with the Diwali Snan of Tamil Nadu. He symbolically described the Kashi Tamil Sangamam as adding the waters of the Kaveri river to the sacred stream of Ganga-Yamuna-Saraswati. The professor also shared personal anecdotes from his early career with All India Radio, concluding his speech with a soulful rendition of a Saraswati composition.
Further enriching the discourse, Prof Sangita Pandit, Dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts at BHU, spoke on the "Heritage of Vocal Music in Kashi." She highlighted the city's centuries-old tradition of nurturing diverse artistic forms, transcending all social and cultural boundaries.
A Call for Unity in Sanatan Traditions
Author Akshat Gupta also addressed the gathering, describing Kashi as the eternal land of Sanatan. He urged for unity beyond regional differences, emphasizing that both Kashi and Banaras Hindu University play a vital and irreplaceable role in preserving these ancient traditions for future generations.
The event successfully served as a vibrant platform for dialogue and exchange, reinforcing the timeless cultural and spiritual bridge between Tamil Nadu and Kashi through music, discourse, and shared heritage.
