Of a rich cultural legacy and a people deeply tied to their roots

Nirmala Lakshman explores the rich history and enduring values of Tamil culture at a literary festival in Thiruvananthapuram.

Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson of The Hindu Group, captured the essence of Tamil culture in an engaging conversation about her latest book The Tamils - A Portrait of a Community at the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2025 in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.

The session delved into the rich history, cultural legacy, and enduring values of the Tamil community, while taking the audience on a deep dive into how the Tamils have both shaped and been shaped by centuries of history, poetry, and social movements.

In conversation with journalist Nirmala Govindarajan, Ms. Lakshman expressed her deep admiration for the Tamil Sangam period and its core contribution to Tamil culture — its literature.

Elaborating on the Sangam age, she explained that it was a time when the Tamil society was deeply connected to its land. Professions and lifestyles reflected the five distinct thinais (or landscapes) of Tamil Nadu, viz., kurinji (mountains), mullai (forests), marutam (pastoral fields), palai (parched, dry lands), and neythal (coastal region).

The poetry of this era has left an indelible mark on Tamil culture. “The fragrant jasmine, the central symbol of the Sangam period, has been reflected almost as an emblem of Tamil Nadu. The whole landscape flowed into the blood of the Tamils and has persisted in their poetry, culture, writing and literature, right up to the present day. Even politicians and other people use Sangam poetry in their speeches,” Ms. Lakshman observed.

She highlighted the enduring connection Tamils share with their roots, even as they adapt to new environments. “Tamils everywhere remain connected to their roots,” she said, citing examples of Tamil poets and achievers in various fields who uphold the community’s values globally.

She also touched upon the remarkable resilience of the Tamil diaspora, which has spread across the globe — from Sri Lanka and Singapore to Malaysia and Canada. While Tamils have adapted to their new surroundings, they continue to carry forward their cultural and social values. “Tamils take their cultural legacy with them wherever they go,” she reiterated, citing examples of Tamil poets and achievers in various fields who uphold the community’s values globally.