Cultural Unity In Motion: On Pongal, PM Modi Shares Tribute To Kashi-Tamil Sangamam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reflected on the deep cultural significance of the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam in a blog post, describing it as a living symbol of India’s unity in diversity under the Ek

Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat initiative.

The prime minister began by recalling his recent visit to Somnath Swabhiman Parv, where people from all over India gathered to commemorate a thousand years of cultural resilience. During the event, he met participants of various cultural Sangamams, including the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, and was moved by their appreciation for these platforms that celebrate India’s diverse heritage.

During my recent visit to Somnath during #SomnathSwabhimanParv, I met people who were appreciative of efforts such as the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam. Today, on the special occasion of Pongal, shared my thoughts on the growth of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 15, 2026

In his post on the occasion of Pongal, PM Modi shared his personal connection with Tamil culture, noting that one of his few regrets in life is not having learned Tamil. He explained how the Sangamam—a confluence of cultures—exemplifies the shared roots and emotional ties between Kashi (Varanasi) and Tamil Nadu, rooted in centuries of spiritual exchange and literary history, including the influence of the Tamil poet Subramania Bharati in Kashi.

“Kashi’s connection with Tamil people and culture is very deep. It is in Kashi that Baba Vishwanath resides, while Tamil Nadu has Rameswaram. 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. It was here that his nationalism deepened, his poetry sharpened and his vision of a free, united India took clearer shape. There are several such instances that highlight this close bond.”

The blog traced the evolution of the Sangamam since its first edition in 2022, highlighting how it has expanded in scale and scope, involving scholars, artists, students, professionals and youth from across both regions. The fourth edition, launched on December 2, 2025, carried the theme “Tamil Karkalam — Learn Tamil”, a unique effort to deepen linguistic and cultural engagement.

Special initiatives such as translations of Tholkappiyam into multiple languages, the Sage Agasthya Vehicle Expedition, academic sessions at Banaras Hindu University, and cultural performances underscored the programme’s role in strengthening people-to-people bonds.

PM Modi also praised the warm hospitality extended by the people of Kashi and Uttar Pradesh towards delegates from Tamil Nadu, and the role played by Indian Railways and local communities in making the journey memorable.

Noting the impact of the Sangamam, the prime minister said it has deepened mutual understanding, fostered cultural learning, and reinforced the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, a vision of national unity rooted in shared heritage and collective participation in cultural festivities across the country.