Historical Heritage of the Tamils

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The International Institute of Tamil Studies apart from its other research activities is regularly conducting National, International, monthly and weekly seminars to promote Tamil studies in the country and abroad.
The Institute, during nineteen eighties and nineties conducted a series of National Seminars to bring out the heritage of the Tamils. They are in the following subjects:
1. Language and Grammar
2. Culture
3. Literature
4. Art & Architecture
5. Philosophy
6. History
7. Siddha Medicine.
8. Temple Arts
9. Education & Vocation
10. Social
11. Economical
12. Legal
The proceedings of the seminars were published by the Institute. 'The Legal Heritage' is yet to be published.
Among the classical languages of the world, Tamil is recently included and is recognised by the Government of India in 2004. Since then, the ancient history of the Tamils and the Sangam classics are under close study by the Tamil Scholars. To fulfill their need, the Institute is now reprinting its publication titled Historical Heritage of the Tamils (1983). This book contains thirty nine research papers; one among them is in Tamil. The papers are classified into:
Part I: Archaeology, Pre-history, Proto-history
Part II: Sangam age - Political History, Cultural History
However, in the light of recent findings and epigraphical evidences, the pre-history of the Tamils and the political history of the monarchies and their chieftains and other petty kings are to be revived.
I hope this publication will be useful for bringing out the facts.

The purpose of this Institute is to impart knowledge to the whole world, about Tamil language, literature, society, culture, civilization, philosophy, art and architecture, history, etc. The proposed plan is to have ten volumes on the Heritage of the Tamils Seminars. This project is made possible by holding annual seminars.
Till now we have conducted in this series, six seminars, i. e 1. Cultural Heritage of the Tamils (1978); 2 Literary Heritage of the Tamils (1978); 3. Language and Grammatical Heritage of the Tamils (1979); 4. Art & Architectural Heritage of the Tamils (1980): 5. Historical Heritage of the Tamils (1981) and 6. Philosophical Heritage of the Tamils (1983).
The Five Seminar's proceedings have been published already. Now the thirty nine research papers presented by the eminent scholars in the seminar on "Historical Heritage of the Tamils" held at our Institute from 23-12-'81 to 25-12-'81 are being released in printed form. This book helps to understand the political and cultural history of the Tamils during the ancient and Sangam period.
Our main aim in conducting such seminars and publishing their proceedings, is to get full knowledge of the past, and to bring to light many new findings, and to clear many obscure thoughts. When we know about the past, and are aware of our heritage, we may fashion ourselves in such a way to build a bright and productive future. History helps us to peep through the blanket of the past; By knowing the Tamil History, we can try to regain our lost heights of the early centuries and build a new society on those deep-rooted foundations. The past, which was like the Himalayas, has now dwindled to something like the Vindhyas.
When we think of the Kallanai at Trichi, the rock-cut temples of Mamallapuram, the Bragatheswarar temple at Thanjavur etc., which are mile stones and land marks in the Tamils development, we feel our historical heritage, and are proud of the attainments of our elders.
It is not just to 'talk' about our glorious golden past that we like to hold seminars; but it is to benefit us in our progressive path and help us in our mission of making the world aware of the Tamils.
We are greatful to the Hon'ble Minister for Education Thiru.C. Arankanayagam, Chairman of our Institute, for all his encouragements.
We are thankful to all the scholars who have contributed valuable articles to this seminar, and helped this Institute in fulfilling its project.
Our thanks are due to Mr. M. I. Ahamed Maricar who helped us in reading the proofs carefully and Mr. Saravana Kumar who printed this book neatly.