The first batch of delegates comprises cultural scholars, 50 Tamil literary experts, classical singers, artisans, teachers, students and spiritual text instructors. Of the 216 delegates in this inaugural train, 86 joined at Tiruchirappalli and 87 at Chennai. Local MLA Shri M. R. Gandhi and members of the public saw the group off at Kanyakumari Railway Station.
Events, itinerary and significance
KTS 4.0 will formally begin with an inaugural function on 2 December at NaMo Ghat, Varanasi. The programme coincides with Karthigai Deepam on 4 December, an auspicious festival in Tamil Nadu, adding cultural resonance to the Sangamam’s activities.
Over the next weeks, more than 1,500 delegates from Tamil Nadu will take part in knowledge-sharing sessions designed to strengthen ties between Tamil traditions and the cultural life of Kashi. The itinerary includes visits to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, NaMo Ghat, Hanuman Ghat, Banaras Hindu University, Sarnath, Prayagraj, Sarnath and Ayodhya.
Language outreach and allied initiatives
This edition’s theme, “Let Us Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam”, promotes the message that Indian languages are part of a shared civilisational family. A flagship activity—“Teaching Tamil to Students in Uttar Pradesh” under the campaign “Karpom Tamil”—will introduce visiting Uttar Pradesh students to Tamil language and literature.
Ten batches of 30 college students each from Uttar Pradesh will be hosted in Tamil Nadu colleges, where faculty from the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), Chennai will orient local teachers to deliver Tamil language modules.
Sage Agasthya Expedition and historical links
The Sangamam will also witness the launch of the Sage Agasthya Vehicle Expedition, a rally from Tenkasi to Varanasi (2–12 December). The expedition commemorates historic cultural journeys linking Tamil Nadu and Kashi and highlights connections forged by ancient dynasties such as the Chera, Chola and Pandya.
Broader objectives and people-to-people ties
Promoted as a people-centric initiative of the Prime Minister’s office, Kashi Tamil Sangamam aims to deepen cultural understanding, foster language exchanges and showcase Tamil arts and scholarship on a national stage. Allied events under the theme “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” will run alongside the Sangamam.