TN Minister Rajmohan Presents Policy Note for Tourism, Culture

Presented by minister Rajmohan, the document outlines transformative strategies executed by the department of art and culture, department of archaeology and department of museums. These initiatives span world-class archaeological excavation programmes, cutting-edge thematic site museums, extensive digitalisation missions and socio-economic safety nets for traditional practitioners.

The archaeology department has achieved ground-breaking milestones that redefine the antiquity and global footprint of ancient Tamil civilisation. Recent scientific dates obtained via accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) have proven that Tamil society possessed iron metallurgy technology as early as 3345 BCE (5,300 years ago) at Sivagalai and practised systematic wet and dry agriculture over 3,500 years ago.

Epigraphical findings show Tamil society was literate 2,700 years ago, corroborated by over 1,630 Tamili-inscribed potsherds across 42 sites — the highest reported in India.

Following excavations across prominent sites like Keeladi (10th season), Vembakkottai and Chennanur, eight major excavations are under way for 2026–2027, including Keeladi’s 11th season, Pattanamarudur and Karivalamvanthanallur. International collaborations have further validated overseas trade networks through participation in excavations at Berenike, Egypt.

To exhibit these monumental discoveries, Tamil Nadu has launched a network of experiential thematic site museums. The iconic Keeladi museum and the newly-opened Keeladi open-air site museum have attracted over 11 lakh visitors combined, with global virtual tours launched online.

The state inaugurated the Porunai museum in Tirunelveli at a cost of Rs. 56.36 crore and is developing the Gangaikondacholapuram museum (Rs. 22.10 crore), Navai maritime museum in Ramanathapuram (Rs. 34.55 crore), and Noyyal museum in erode (Rs. 33.19 crore).

Parallelly, the museums department is spearheading major infrastructure works, such as the Grand Chola Museum in Thanjavur (Rs. 56.41 crore), a new bronze gallery in Chennai (Rs. 51.92 crore), Tamil cultural museums at Mamallapuram and Tiruvannamalai, and the complete digitalisation of collections through a centralised museum information system.

Art and educational initiatives have received equal momentum. Four government music colleges, three fine arts colleges, the newly-established Government College of Fine Arts in Madurai, and 17 district music schools provide subsidised fine arts training with regular monthly stipends.

Youth engagement is fostered through 60 Jawahar Siruvar Manram centres, alongside 25 dedicated part-time folk art training centres. Welfare boards, such as the Tamil Nadu Folk Artistes Welfare Board with over 61,000 registered members, ensure extensive financial, educational, and familial assistance. Combined with massive folk festivals like Sangamam ‘Namma Ooru Thiruvizha’, the state continues to position Tamil cultural identity securely on the global map.

Important points

· Ancient Iron Metallurgy: AMS dating at Sivagalai confirmed iron technology in Tamil Nadu as early as 3345 BCE (5,300 years ago).

· Early Literacy: Discovery of over 1,630 Tamili-inscribed potsherds across 42 sites establishes that Tamil society was literate 2,700 years ago.

· Indus Valley Links: About 90% of over 15,000 documented graffiti signs on potsherds match Indus graffiti, with 60% matching Indus seal signs.

· Active Excavations (2026–2027): Eight major excavations are under way - Keeladi (11th season), Pattanamarudur, Karivalamvanthanallur, Nagapattinam, Manikkollai, Adichanur, Vellalur and Telunganur.

· Global Archaeological Footprint: State archaeology officers participated in excavations at Berenike, Egypt, scientifically validating ancient Indo-Roman trade linkages.

· Offshore Maritime Surveys: Reconnaissance surveys using sidescan Sonar were conducted at Korkai port and Poompuhar in collaboration with IMU and Niot.

· Porunai Museum Inaugurated: Built at a cost of Rs. 56.36 crore in Tirunelveli on over 55,500 sq. ft., attracts over 3.15 lakh visitors.

· Keeladi Site Complex: Over 11 lakh people have visited the Keeladi museum (Rs. 18.42 crore), complemented by the newly-opened open-air site museum (Rs. 17.10 crore).

· Upcoming Thematic Museums: Foundation stones were laid for the Navai maritime museum in Ramanathapuram (Rs. 34.55 crore) and Noyyal museum in Erode (Rs. 33.19 crore).

· Grand Chola Museum: A mega project spanning 50 acres is under execution on the Tamil University campus in Thanjavur at a cost of Rs. 56.41 crore.

· Cultural Museums Planned: New mega projects include the Tamil Cultural Museum at Mamallapuram (Rs. 109.70 crore) and Tiruvannamalai (Rs. 53 crore).

· Heritage Fort & Palace Restorations: Comprehensive conservation is ongoing at the Maratha Durbar Hall in Thanjavur (Rs. 6.95 crore), Tarangambadi Governor’s Bungalow (Rs. 3.77 crore), and Madurai Tirumalai Nayak Mahal.

· Epigraphy Publishing Drive: Over 6,200 inscriptions have been deciphered to date, with 4,015 published across 19 volumes under the title ‘Tamil Nadu Inscriptions’.

· Digital Manuscript Preservation: The Government Oriental Manuscripts Library has digitised over 21 lakh pages of manuscripts, with 5 lakh pages made publicly accessible online.

· Fine Arts College Expansion: A new Government College of Fine Arts was established at World Tamil Sangam, Madurai, costing Rs. 1.58 crore.

· Student Stipends in Art Schools: Monthly stipends of Rs. 1,500 (music colleges) and Rs. 1,000 (district music schools) are provided for 10 months each academic year.

· Children's Cultural Development: Tamil Nadu Jawahar Siruvar Manram trains 6,480 children across 60 centres, backed by a new Rs. 2.41 crore headquarters in Mylapore.

· Folk Artistes Welfare Support: The Tamil Nadu Folk Artistes Welfare Board enrolled 61,097 artistes, disbursing Rs. 304.14 lakh to 11,007 beneficiaries for education, marriage and family assistance.

· Chennai Sangamam Revival: Conducted across 20 city locations at a cost of Rs. 8.58 crore, featuring over 1,500 performing artistes.

· International Cultural Outreach: State cultural delegations represented Tamil heritage abroad at the Great Indian Summer Mela in Moscow, Russia, and at cultural festivals in Mauritius and Seychelles.