A North Indian who shaped the Tamil Grammar
Rishi Agastya"s journey from North to South symbolized India"s historical unity, bridging cultures with ‘Agattiyam,’ the earliest Tamil grammar text. However, the DMK, driven by divisive politics, seeks to disrupt this unity, pushing an anti-India agenda under the guise of Tamil identity.
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India has thrived on linguistic plurality with many historical figures symbolising integration rather than division. In ancient India, Agastya, a revered Rishi, travelled from the North to the South, symbolising a long time of unity. He is credited with the earliest Tamil grammar text, ‘Agattiyam,’ and is seen as a bridge between the two regions. However, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), driven by its divisive politics, seeks to dismantle this historical integration, pushing an anti-India agenda under the guise of Tamil identity. This is not Tamil nationalism but sheer political opportunism — an attempt to fabricate a disconnect where none existed. This article examines whether such resistance safeguards linguistic heritage or merely serves as a tool for political opportunism.
The question of language imposition has been a contentious issue in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where resistance to Hindi has been a central political theme. However, this debate is not merely about language but the larger narrative of cultural and political identity.
Once again, the DMK government has fallen back on its familiar strategy of politicising issues under the guise of Tamil pride. In a move that comes as no surprise, the Tamil Nadu government chose to replace the Indian rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil script-based “ru” (ரூ) in the 2025-26 state budget logo. This comes amid the ongoing clash between the Tamil Nadu government and the central government over the National Education Policy, with the former alleging that the Centre is trying to impose Hindi on the state.
The absurdity of DMK’s decision becomes clear when one considers the history of the rupee symbol. In 2010, Dr. Udaya Kumar Dharmalingam, an IIT Mumbai scholar, designed the rupee symbol, winning a nationwide competition. It was officially adopted on July 15, 2010, by the Congress-led UPA government, of which the DMK was a key ally. If the DMK had no objection then, why this sudden aversion to a symbol that represents India’s economic identity? This inconsistency exposes the party’s political opportunism rather than any genuine concern for Tamil pride.
If DMK claims to uphold the pride of Tamil heritage, then why does it ignore the legendary Agastya Muni? He is regarded as one of the greatest sages of ancient India and the first “National Integrator”. Agastya, who hailed from the north, crossed the Vindhyas and played a pivotal role in shaping Tamil grammar. He is credited with composing the first Tamil grammar, Agattiyam, and significantly enriching Tamil literature, giving it a structured and refined form. This proves that at no point in history was there an artificial divide, such as the one DMK is desperately trying to create today. Tamil Nadu’s cultural evolution has always been inclusive, thriving on exchanges with the rest of India.
During the recent Kashi Tamil Sangam 3.0, speakers at the national seminar on ‘Sage Agastya and his contributions’ recalled his role in promoting Tamil language across the country. The third annual version of the pan-India cultural event celebrating the rich heritage and traditions linking Tamil Nadu and the ancient city of Kashi, highlighted the cultural confluence between the two cities.
By ignoring this historical fact, DMK exposes its own hypocrisy. The party, which claims to uphold Tamil identity, is conveniently disregarding the North Indian who played an instrumental role in shaping Tamil heritage. This selectiveness only serves its propaganda, which stands in stark contrast to Tamil Nadu’s history of integration and unity.
DMK’s ‘Divide-and-Rule’ tactics
By rejecting a national currency symbol and replacing it with an exclusive regional alternative, DMK is not standing up for Tamil Nadu; it is attempting to break the very fabric of India’s unity. The rupee symbol is not a ‘North Indian imposition.’ It was embraced by the entire nation — including Tamil Nadu — until DMK conveniently decided to weaponise it for its anti-Centre agenda.
DMK’s approach is not Tamil Nadu’s approach. It is a politically motivated move that seeks to alienate the state from its national identity. Tamil Nadu has a rich history of embracing integration while celebrating its unique heritage.
Anti-Hindi rhetoric has been a persistent theme in Tamil politics since the pre-Independence era. Initially fuelled by ambitious politicians seeking relevance, it was later entrenched in public discourse by the DMK. However, its origins can be traced back to the British, who planted the seeds of this aversion through the Aryan Invasion Theory, a narrative that modern science has thoroughly debunked.
It is worth noting that the DMK has long used the tactic of fostering a North-South divide as a cover to distract from its scams and the troubles of the state.
The question of language imposition has been a contentious issue in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where resistance to Hindi has been a central political theme. However, this debate is not merely about language but the larger narrative of cultural and political identity.
Once again, the DMK government has fallen back on its familiar strategy of politicising issues under the guise of Tamil pride. In a move that comes as no surprise, the Tamil Nadu government chose to replace the Indian rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil script-based “ru” (ரூ) in the 2025-26 state budget logo. This comes amid the ongoing clash between the Tamil Nadu government and the central government over the National Education Policy, with the former alleging that the Centre is trying to impose Hindi on the state.
The absurdity of DMK’s decision becomes clear when one considers the history of the rupee symbol. In 2010, Dr. Udaya Kumar Dharmalingam, an IIT Mumbai scholar, designed the rupee symbol, winning a nationwide competition. It was officially adopted on July 15, 2010, by the Congress-led UPA government, of which the DMK was a key ally. If the DMK had no objection then, why this sudden aversion to a symbol that represents India’s economic identity? This inconsistency exposes the party’s political opportunism rather than any genuine concern for Tamil pride.
The Tamil legacy DMK conveniently ignores the sage from the North
If DMK claims to uphold the pride of Tamil heritage, then why does it ignore the legendary Agastya Muni? He is regarded as one of the greatest sages of ancient India and the first “National Integrator”. Agastya, who hailed from the north, crossed the Vindhyas and played a pivotal role in shaping Tamil grammar. He is credited with composing the first Tamil grammar, Agattiyam, and significantly enriching Tamil literature, giving it a structured and refined form. This proves that at no point in history was there an artificial divide, such as the one DMK is desperately trying to create today. Tamil Nadu’s cultural evolution has always been inclusive, thriving on exchanges with the rest of India.
During the recent Kashi Tamil Sangam 3.0, speakers at the national seminar on ‘Sage Agastya and his contributions’ recalled his role in promoting Tamil language across the country. The third annual version of the pan-India cultural event celebrating the rich heritage and traditions linking Tamil Nadu and the ancient city of Kashi, highlighted the cultural confluence between the two cities.
By ignoring this historical fact, DMK exposes its own hypocrisy. The party, which claims to uphold Tamil identity, is conveniently disregarding the North Indian who played an instrumental role in shaping Tamil heritage. This selectiveness only serves its propaganda, which stands in stark contrast to Tamil Nadu’s history of integration and unity.
DMK’s ‘Divide-and-Rule’ tactics
By rejecting a national currency symbol and replacing it with an exclusive regional alternative, DMK is not standing up for Tamil Nadu; it is attempting to break the very fabric of India’s unity. The rupee symbol is not a ‘North Indian imposition.’ It was embraced by the entire nation — including Tamil Nadu — until DMK conveniently decided to weaponise it for its anti-Centre agenda.
DMK’s approach is not Tamil Nadu’s approach. It is a politically motivated move that seeks to alienate the state from its national identity. Tamil Nadu has a rich history of embracing integration while celebrating its unique heritage.
Anti-Hindi rhetoric has been a persistent theme in Tamil politics since the pre-Independence era. Initially fuelled by ambitious politicians seeking relevance, it was later entrenched in public discourse by the DMK. However, its origins can be traced back to the British, who planted the seeds of this aversion through the Aryan Invasion Theory, a narrative that modern science has thoroughly debunked.
It is worth noting that the DMK has long used the tactic of fostering a North-South divide as a cover to distract from its scams and the troubles of the state.
