Tamil University plans park on 5 traditional landscapes

The concepts of five geographical regions denoted in the classical Sangam Tamil literature would be recreated by Horticulture Department. A MoU is to be signed by the University and the department this month. 

The ancient Tamils have classified five-fold geographical divisions of Tamil Nadu as Ainthinai. Accordingly, the hilly region is called as Kurinji , the forest area is called as Mullai, the dry regions was called  Palai, the cultivable region is called Marudam and the areas lying adjacent to seas are called Neithal. 

According to the university sources, the Horticultural Department has been roped in to set up the park on the concept of the Ainthinai in an area of 10 acres. 

“Each geographical division would be recreated in two acres,” said a University official. Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor G Bhaskaran, said that a committee would be established and it would decide the tree species, flowers that were referred in each of the five geographical areas in the Sangam literature. 

These specified plants would be grown in the park and the landscape of each section of the park would be designed uniquely according to the descriptions in the Sangam literature. The habitats of the people of respective areas would be there as proto types, the Vice-Chancellor said. 

The spot has been identified on the eastern edge of the University campus behind the South Zone Cultural Centre. The setting up of the park would bring the area into use besides curbing trespassing, officials said. The park would have three entrances one from the Tiruchy-Thanjavur national highways side near the main entrance of the University, the other would be from the New Bus stand side while the third one would be from the Herbal Garden of the Tamil University. 

Though the estimated cost of the Ainthinai park is yet to be decided, sources said, that it would be roughly between Rs 8 and 10 crore. Besides, children’s parks would also be established close to it, the official added.