Chennai

Vaiko, in a statement, questioned, “Is the statue that is going to be constructed in Madurai belongs to Tamil Annai or Arya Madha. The government is planning to construct the statue of Tamil Annai in Vedic Brahmanical style which is contrary to Tamil ancient architecture.”

Late chief minister J Jayalalithaa announced construction of Tamil Annai statue at the cost of Rs 100 crore in Madurai. The state government aimed at constructing a massive statue similar to the Statue of Liberty in USA.

However, the state entrusted the job of constructing Tamil Annai statue with Poompuhar company and the company had given out a statement stating that the statue would be constructed based on Vedic Brahminical Hindu tradition.

Vaiko condemned the announcement of Poompuhar and said that ancient Tamil architecture is not similar to Vedic Brahminical tradition. “The announcement states that the proposed statue will not be constructed in stone but in fibre and glass. The company is also planning to construct the statue based on statues in Italy,” said Vaiko.

He also said that ancient Tamil architecture is one of the reputed architectures in the world and the Thanjavur Big Temple constructed by Raja Raja Cholan is the standing example. Similarly, the temples constructed by Pallavas could not be seen anywhere in the country.

The announcement of Poompuhar shows that the state government is a puppet to the Hindutva BJP government at the Centre.

Tamil Thaai temple & idol

A brief look at the existing temple and idol for Tamil Thaai

• Deification of Tamil as a mother was first established in Manonmaniyam, written by Sundaram Pillai, published in 1891
• The lone temple for Tamil Thaai is located in Karaikudi in Sivaganga district. Unlike regular temples, this temple opens during the annual Kamban Vizha in April (the Tamil month of Chithirai)
• A statue for Tamil Thaai was declared open near the entrance of Tamukkam grounds in Madurai during the Fifth World Tamil conference in January 1981 by the then Chief Minister MG Ramachandran
• The statue installed at Tammukkam grounds depicts Tamil Thaai in a seated position on a lotus flower with abhayamudra and palm manuscripts 
• In May 2013, former chief minister J Jayalalithaa announced the installation of 300-ft tall statue for Tamil Thaai in Madurai at an approximate cost of Rs 100 crore on the lines of Statue of Liberty of New York The proposed statue of Tamil Thaai at Vandiyur in Madurai is in the standing position

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