Case6-August-2017
Tata-Dhan Academy (TDA) celebrated its 6th edition of ‘Heritage - 2017’. The event focused on promoting the heritage and culture of the villages. Totally, 130 students from eight different colleges in and around Madurai took part in various events. On the first day, events were organised in Tata-Dhan Academy and the next day’s event was organised at Thuvariman, a neighbouring village on the banks of Vaigai that hosted the programme. Frank Heckman, Founder, Embassy of the Earth, Netherlands, Lawrence De Bure, President, Waterrock Organization, USA and Leo, Netherlands, presided over the event. Rajapandiyan, Ex-President of Thuvariman village, Dr. R. Venkatraman, Retired Professor of History, Madurai Kamaraj University, and Dr. V. Vedhachalam, Epigraphist, graced the occasion. A small video documentary of the previous year’s event was shown to the participants.
Gurunathan, Director, Tata-Dhan Academy welcomed the participants and shared an overview of the past heritage events. He stressed on the idea of initiating Heritage Clubs at all the participant colleges to promote, preserve and create awareness among the students about our rich heritage. Dr. Venkatraman thanked TDA for arranging this unique event focusing on culture and heritage. He emphasised that real education is in the field and not in the books we read. This generation‘s education and their job are not related, what they learn is not useful when they go to a job in real life. This gap needs to be addressed to bring about a real change. He requested the students to take this event to their heart and preserve our culture and heritage.
Frank Heckman shared the need to learn and live with nature to become a sustainable nation. The mythology of different countries and its spiritual values are the ones that motivate one’s culture and it is important that we need to protect our own heritage. He was happy that the young generation shows willingness to preserve and nurture its tradition and culture. Lawrence appreciated women’s participation in large numbers in the event. She told that culture is very systematic and unique to every part of the country.
It is the culture and tradition of India that leads to its development and empowerment of its people. Leo mentioned that the cultures have us our moral values. Culture is the one that helps us to lead a proper and sustainable life. We need to share our resources and care for each and everyone around us. Vedachalam appreciated the participant college students and their efforts and involvement in organising this annual event. Vaigai River has been traditionally rich in culture and heritage. Vaigai River has more references in ancient literature and songs than any other river and it is our privilege to know about the history of the villages on its banks.
Traditional dances such as ‘Kolattam, Silambattam and Oyilattam’ were performed by local village artists at Muniyandi Kovil, Thuvariman. Students along with the villagers took out a procession to create awareness on preserving heritage. Traditional games such as ‘Kitipillai’ and ‘Illavatakal Thukuthal’. Then, the village women performed ‘Kummi’ along with guests and students. Street plays and folk songs were performed by college students.
A booklet about the village “Thuvariman” highlighting the heritage and archeological features was released and shared with the villagers, followed by Dr. Venkatraman’s special address on the village. In the concluding ceremony at Tata-Dhan Academy, Meenakshi Shankar, Trustee, Karunai Illam Trust, New Zealand addressed the students emphasising the need to protect and preserve culture. Totally, 11 different events were conducted and Senthamarai College won the rolling trophy as the overall winner.