World Classical Tamil Conference 2010

The World Classical Tamil Conference 2010 was an international gathering of scholars, poets, political leaders and celebrities with an interest in Tamil people, the Tamil language and Tamil literature. It was held in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu between 23 June and 27 June 2010 with an expenditure of more than 500 Crores.

World Classical Tamil Conference 2010
Host countryIndia
Date23 June 2010 (2010-06-23)–27 June 2010 (2010-06-27)
Venue(s)CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex
CitiesCoimbatore
Websiteஉலகத் தமிழ்ச் செம்மொழி மாநாடு
Conference slogan

Venue

The WCTC was held at CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex in Coimbatore and chaired by the then chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi and was organised by his government.[1][2]

Participants

The conference was inaugurated by the president of India, Pratibha Patil. Finnish Tamil scholar Asko Parpola was awarded the Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Classical Tamil award. Tamil scholar V. Sivathambi from Sri Lanka, UNESCO Director Arumugam Parasuraman, MP and political leader Sitaram Yechury of Communist Party of India (Marxist), D. Raja of Communist Party of India, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi president Thol. Thirumavalavan and Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss participated in the conference.[3][4] Dignitaries and Tamil scholars were gifted with an exquisitely engraved Thanjavur plate.[5]

Events

Tamil scholar George Hart from the United States, will present a paper on Sangam literature and Indian epigraphist Iravatham Mahadevan will chair a debate on scripts. Rononjoy Adhikari and Kavitha Gangal from Institute of Mathematical Science, who are currently working on a mathematical model to relate the Indus script with the Dravidian language will be involved in the debate on scripts.[6]

Theme Song
Main article: Semmozhiyaana Thamizh Mozhiyaam

The theme song, "Semmozhiyaana Thamizh Mozhiyaam" was penned by the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi with music by A.R. Rahman. The video was directed by Gautham Menon which had various artists, musicians, singers.[7]

Controversies

This conference didn't get the approval from the International Association for Tamil Research. Not all agreed with the academic and intellectual rigor of the latter event.[8][9][10]

The conference and associated activities also faced oppositions and criticisms from various political parties and publi.[11][12][13] Others viewed it as a prevention of Hindi imposition.

See also

References
  1. "World Tamil Conference begins on Wed in Coimbatore". ND TV. June 22, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  2. "World Tamil Conference-2010". Dinamalar. June 22, 2010.
  3. "Coimbatore decked up for world classical Tamil conference". Deccan Herald. June 16, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  4. "Pratibha Patil inaugurates World Classical Tamil Conference". The Hindu. June 23, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
  5. "Exquisite Thanjavur plate for participants in World Tamil Conference". TimesofIndia. June 11, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  6. "5-day world Tamil conference begins". TimesofIndia. June 23, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
  7. "World Classical Tamil Conference Theme Song". The Hindu. May 20, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  8. "Karunanidhi and the politics of Tamil culture". Sri Lanka Guardian. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  9. transCurrents on June 15, 2010 05:22 AM (2010-06-15). "World Tamil Classical Conference in Tamil Nadu Will Boost Chief Minister Karunanidhi's Image". transCurrents. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  10. "The political uses of Tamil". Indian Express. 2010-06-25. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  11. Iqbal Mohideen. Karunanidhi And The Politics Of Tamil Culture
  12. World Tamil Classical Conference in Tamil Nadu Will Boost Chief Minister Karunanidhi's Image
  13. The political uses of Tamil
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