Bharathi Tamil Sangam,Kolkata - Thoughts by Venkataramanan Ramasethu

On the Vasanta Panchami day, 1941 a small band of Tamil lovers led by Dr K.S.Krishnan, the famous scientist, founded the Bharathi Tamil Sangam with the following aims:-

1.Bringing together, under one umbrella, all the Tamils of Bengal
2.Cultivation and promotion of Tamil literature and culture.
3.Propagation of Tamil literature and culture among the non-Tamils of Bengal
4.Promotion of national integration by providing for interaction between the Tamil and Other linguistic groups

The Sangam has many ‘firsts’ to its credit. It is the first Tamil Association formed in India outside Tamil Nadu. It is the first Sangam named after Subramania Bharathi, the great Tamil poet. Its modest hall is decorated with the portraits of almost all contributors of Tamil Literature and Culture, a feature rarely seen in other Tamil associations. Another such feature is the publication of books in Tamil, English, Hindi, Bengali and Marathi on Tamil literature and culture. Also perhaps it is the only Sangam with a branch in the same city.

Since the promotion of Tamil is one of the main aims of the Sangam, free Tamil classes are held for the non –Tamils. There is also provision for teaching Tamil to students who want to study Tamil at the college level but their college does not have Tamil teachers.

The Sangam conducts classes in spoken Bengali and Hindi for the convenience of the Tamils who come to kolkata on transfer or for business. The Sangam has a tie-up with the Nikhil Bharat Bangabhasha Prasar Samiti for conducting Bengali classes.

The Sangam regularly conducts literary meetings, debates and seminars in which distinguished scholars and writers from Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country participate. It has conducted many seminars in collaboration with the Calcutta University, the Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad, Sahitya Akademi, Sarat Samity, Viswa Bharati etc.

The sangam regularly celebrates the Birth days/ Remembrance days of Prominent Tamil Scholars and writers. The main functions conducted annunally are Bharathi Birthday in December, Bharathi Remembrance Day in September and Kamban Day in March-April. A number of competitions are held for the promotion of Tamil literature and the arts such as music, dance, drama, painting etc and the winners are awarded prizes at the Bharathi Birthday function.

The Sangam has a well-stored library containing about 5000 books. The Govt of Tamil Nadu and the publishers of Tamil Nadu have literally contributed books to the library. The Sangam conducts a free Reading room where about twenty magazines and newspapers are provided.

The Sangam has published about 20 books in different languages. They deal mainly with Bharathi but there are books on others subjects also. These books are held in high esteem by literatures and scholars all over the country and abroad. Its publications include selected writings of Bharathi in Tamil, English, Bengali and Marathi, articles on Bharathi, a book by Shakuntala Bharathi, the poet’s daughter, containing her reminiscences of her great father, a book on the art of poetry by R.S.Deshikan, a great Tamil Scholar and a book of Bharathi’s songs with musical notations. The last-mentioned book had a very enthusiastic reception. Its copies have been sold out and a second edition is in process.

The Sangam is recognized by the Sahitya Akademi, Calcutta University, Bharathiya Bhasha Parishad, the Govt of Tamil Nadu, The Bhasha Sangam, The C.I.I.L, Mysore and many other literary and cultural organizations. The Sangam hosted the Tamil culture sponsored by the Govt. of Tamil Nadu. These organizations invite the Sangam to participate in their seminars and other functions.

The Sangam has instituted two trusts for the grant of scholars to poor and meritorious students. Free uniforms are also provided to needy students.

The Bharathi centenary was celebrated by the Sangam in a grand manner in 1982. As a result of the efforts of the sangam and other Tamil associations. Lake Road in South Kolkata was renamed as ‘Kavi Bharati Sarani’. Unveiling of a full-size bronze statue of Subramania Bharathi at Vivekananda Park in South Kolkata was a highlight of the centenary celebrations. The statue was unveiled by M.G.R, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in the presence of Shri Jyoti Basu, the then C.M. of West Bengal

The Sangam celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1992 and its Diamond Jubilee in 2001 in a grand manner with literary speeches, debates, music and classical and folk dances.

In the 1990’s the Sangam acquired Bharathi Nilayam, a modest flat, with donations from the Govts. of India and Tamil Nadu and from Tamil lovers.

As a premier Tamil institution the Sangam considers it is duty to honour those who have distinguished themselves in public services. Accordingly, it has started conferring during Bharathi Birthday Celebration titles on them. In the year 2004, the title “Tamil Panpattu Kavalar” conferred as on Sri G.Balachandran, I.A.S, Former President of Delhi Tamil Sangam. “Sadanai Tamizhar” title was conferred in 2005 on Dr N.G.Kannan, the then Marketing Director of Indian Oil Corporation. The Bharathi Birth Day of 2006 was marked by the confirmant of the title “Sadanai Tamizhar” on Arutchelvar Dr N.Mahalingam, the educationist, industrialist and philanthropist.

Three landmarks in the history of the Sangam mark the year 2006. In January that year, for the first time in its history, the Sangam was able to bring together all the Tamils of West Bengal, especially Kolkata and Howrah to celebrate the Tamil Pongal Festival on the grounds of Swabhumi. This function was largely popular and was attended by more than 2000, Tamils and non –Tamils. Hon’ble, the Governor of W.B Thiru. Gopalakrishna Gandhi addressed the gathering in Tamil. With this celebration the Sangam has established itself as one of the main cultural centers of Kolkata.


The second landmark is the introduction of a website on the Pongal Day of 2006 to record the activities of the Sangam and promote its aims. The website has been enthusiastically received by the Tamils all over the world.

The third landmark is the formation, for the first time in the Sangam’s long history, a branch at Brahmapur where a new colony of about 1000 Tamil families has come up. The inauguration of this branch took place in Tamil New year of 14th April 2006.

In 2007 also the Pongal festival was celebrated by the Sangam at the same venue on a greater and with almost double the participants. The first anniversary of the Brahmapur branch has also been observed with enthusiastic participation.

The Sangam would like to become the nucleus of a World Tamil Federation, which would serve as an umbrella organization of the Tamils all over the World.

Despite all these achievements, the financial condition of the Sangam continues to be poor. It is not able to expand its activities due to financial constraints. The Sangam would like to have a building of its own with an auditorium, sufficient space for a big library, a dormitory and rooms for the accommodation of the Sangam’s guest speakers and visitors from outside and a canteen. The achievement of this target requires huge funds. The Sangam would request all the Tamil lovers of the world to donate generously so that the Sangam may expand its activities for the good of the society as a whole. The donations would be eligible for tax concessions under the Indian Income Tax Acts.