Chennai has been the heart of Tamizhagam since time immemorial, says N. Muruganandam

In my view, Chennai has two prominent facets. One, it has been the seat of Tamil culture and heart of Tamizhagam from time immemorial, says N. Muruganandam, Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Though the present Chennai was founded by the British, the Chennai region has a glorious and long history. Pallavaram is a site of archaeological importance since prehistoric times. The first Palaeolithic artefact in India was found in Pallavaram in 1863. The greatest son of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvalluvar is supposed to have lived in Mylapore. Kancheepuram was one of the greatest centres of Buddhism and learning, and Mamallapuram was a thriving commercial port for many centuries.

Even in the 20^th Century, Chennai was the hotbed for reformist movements such as the Dravidian movement, Thani Tamizh Iyyakam, and movements for equality of women and the disadvantaged.

Secondly, there is a popular saying that Tamil Nadu supports and promotes everyone (Vandhaarai Vazha Vaikkum Tamizh Nadu). Chennai epitomises this Tamil virtue, and has been fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of people from different parts of Tamil Nadu and India. In my view, it is a common man’s city, highly egalitarian in nature and like a mother who has embraced people belonging to different castes and creed with equanimity and without any discrimination.

(As told to Dennis S. Jesudasan)