The inclusion of Tamil in the list of ancient/classical languages along with Pali, Prakrit must be considered as the beginning for disseminating and emphasizing the fact that what Greek and Latin are to Europe, Sanskrit and Tamil are to India. They constitute the two eyes through which to view and understand India with all its complexities and contradictions. The activities and responsibilities of the Departments of Education and Culture and the Institutions associated with history, archaeology, epigraphy and numismatics must be reoriented to take into account the additional dimension to our source of knowledge about Indian culture and civilization. A new wave of realization and understanding must become pervasive in the national atmosphere.
The message, Tamil and Sanskrit are
The two eyes of the heritage of India,
Must echo in the North beyond the Vindhyas
And in the forums of the world
Transcending national bounds.
Kulothungan Poems, p.364
is the declaration of the poet; his desire and demand too.
It may be stated even to the point of repetition that we had long been seeing ourselves with one eye; consequently, there was no completeness, no wholeness in our perception. This basic deficiency had been pointed out, now and then, by Tamil scholars. However, it did not attract the attention of many, did not receive the acceptance it deserved. The Western scholars, who have done extensive and in-depth investigations of ancient civilizations, have presented their conclusion that Indian civilization and culture are the integrated whole of two cultures represented by Sanskrit and Dravidian components. There are also Indian experts who have expressed similar views. However, these have not found appropriate place and prominence in the texts on the history of India.
The present development with the Government of India, at the national level, recognizing Sanskrit and Tamil as the classical languages, may mark the beginning of an effort to take the message of Dravidian contribution to the cultural, spiritual and philosophic heritage of India, to the elite and educationists – national and international. We must comprehensively to attain a level of wholeness in our perception. In these efforts, the Tamils have the responsibility to play a lead role.
