TAMIL DEVELOPMENT-CULTURE AND RELIGIOUS ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT
TAMIL DEVELOPMENT-CULTURE
POLICY NOTE  2002 -  2003

"Éò àœ÷‹ Ü¡¹œ÷‹ ªðó¤ò àœ÷‹
ªî£™½ôè ñ‚èª÷ô£‹ å¡«ø â¡Â‹
œ÷‹ îQô¡«ø£ Þ¡ð‹"

                                     -  Pavendar Bharathidasan

Nation and language are as two eyes for this Government which aims at fulfilling the dreams of Pavendar to create a new world. The development of State  includes development of the language and the development  of language includes development of the State.  Language is the identity of human society; cultural treasure-trove; ideological treasure; historical chest; a guide to the life.  Therefore, to attain prosperity in life, the language should attain copiousness.  Copiousness means not only  praising of an ancient glory  and existing prevalence but also creating fresh innovations and modernity.   Human society adopts itself to change of times and this change is inevitable. Changes  are    the symbols for  development.  According to the changes, needs have arisen.  Therefore,  language  should     be  developed    on  par  with the changes  of  human society  so as to mingle with the  daily activities of human society.  It is very   essential   to   reach  such an excellent position for our Tamil   language,  which is superior to our soul and possesses  the qualifications of a classical language such as copiousness, antiquity, generality, classicism, equity, stability and acceptability.  In accordance  with  guidance of the    scholars  and expectations of the  public, the  department of Tamil    Development-Culture was established in the year 1984. The Hon'ble Chief Minister in her address delivered at the Eighth World Tamil Conference held in 1995 declared as follows:

"If any language fails to assimilate and accommodate new changes, then that language will become handicapped.  To  continue to be a modern linguistic currency without loosing its ancient moorings, a language should develop into a multi vehicular medium, capable  of functioning in all registers ancient and modern".

"At the end of the Fifth World Tamil Conference held in 1981, Puratchithalaivar M.G.R. emphatically declared 'Tamil everywhere and Tamil in every sphere'.  I have great pleasure and feel proud in introducing a new slogan, viz.,  'Tamil Today and Tamil  For  ever'   with a  view  to  stabilize the new

dimension and impetus this Eighth World Tamil conference has given to Tamil development and to make it known that `Tamil in Science  too and Tamil in all". 

By way of giving effect   to   the   great   thoughts   of   our   Hon'ble  Chief Minister, the department of Tamil Development -culture is continuing its voyage with special attention to the development of Scientific Tamil and having in its  mind the theory that the development of Tamil and Culture involves the development of Tamil people.    The institutions and organisations under the control of this department are in three broad based categories, viz., (a) those meant for the development of Tamil Language, (b) for preservation and study of Traditional heritage and (c) for promotion of performing Arts and Culture.

DEVELOPMENT OF TAMIL LANGUAGE

1.            Directorate of Tamil Development
2.            International Institute of Tamil Studies
3.            Tamil University, Thanjavur
4.            Translation Wing
5.            Directorate of Tamil Etymological Dictionary Project

PRESERVATION AND STUDY OF TRADITIONAL HERITAGE

6.            Department of Archaeology and Museum
7.         Government Oriental Manuscripts Library and Research Centre

PROMOTION OF PERFORMING ARTS AND CULTURE

8.            Directorate of Art and Culture
9.            Regional Cultural Centres
10.          Government Music Colleges and Music Schools
11.          Government  College of  Fine Arts
12.          Government College of Architecture and Sculpture
13.          Tamil Nadu Ovia Nunkalai Kuzhu
14.          Tamil Nadu Jawahar Siruvar Manram
15.          Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram