In their efforts to solidify control over India, the British employed a strategy of divide and rule, consistently seeking opportunities to implement it. Among these tactics, one of the most detrimental was the promotion of the notion that Northern Aryans and Southern Dravidians were distinct from each other. The narrative instilled in us was that the Aryans had invaded Europe, imposing their culture specifically on the southern regions of India.
Ample evidence in our scriptures suggests that Aryans were the original inhabitants of India, covering a vast expanse, including regions such as Afghanistan, Nepal, Tibet, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Contrary to common misconceptions about our spiritual heritage, where some believe that Shaiva traditions prevail in the South and Vaishnava traditions in the North, the reality is that the principal Vaishnava schools of thought originated in South India. Ramanuja, born in 1017 in what is now Tamil Nadu, played a crucial role in propagating Vaishnavism, as did the Alwars. Madhavaharya, born in 1238 in Karnataka, and Adi Shankara, born in 788 in Kerala, also contributed to the dissemination of Vaishnavism.
Adi Shankara's renowned poem, 'Bhaja Govindam,' encourages worship of Govinda or Krishna. In the South, different names are used for Krishna and Vishnu. In the Tamil language, Krishna is also referred to as Parthsarthi and Kanan, while in Karnataka, he is known as Venugopala Swamy. Kerala observes Janmashtami, grandly celebrating Lord Krishna's birthday, with most people fasting until midnight. The youngest family member is dressed as Krishna for the occasion. The renowned Padmanabhaswamy temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and in Kerala, the Guruvayur temple is revered as the holy abode of Vishnu, popularly known as Krishna.
Lord Ayyappa, considered the son of Hari or Vishnu and Haran (Shiva), holds significance in South Indian culture. Lord Venkateswara, also known as Balaji, represents one of the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Additionally, Lord Murugan, son of Parvati and Shiva and brother of Ganesha, is known as Karthikeya.
The celebrated poet, saint, and philosopher of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvalluvar (31 BC), in his book Thirukkural, does not make any mention of Dravidian culture. The Ramayana story unfolds in South India, involving the kidnapping of Sita, the killing of Jatayu by Ravana, the construction of the bridge by Lord Rama's monkey army, and Lord Hanuman's flight to Sri Lanka. Before going to war against Ravana, Lord Rama performs a Shiv Puja, and upon his return, he again conducts a Shiv Puja to atone for killing Ravana, who was a Brahmana.
Tens of thousands of devotees, hailing from the Southern States, make pilgrimages to the revered temple of Ramesavaram, fervently chanting 'Jai Shri Ram.' Additionally, the renowned Tirupati Balaji temple in Andhra Pradesh stands as a testament to devotion, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, a revered form of Lord Vishnu.
The rich tapestry of South Indian culture is vividly expressed through traditional dance forms such as Bharat Natyam, where performances consistently weave narratives of Rama, Krishna, and Shiva stories. Addressing the language controversy surrounding the imposition of Hindi, Prime Minister Modi has taken measures to neutralize tensions, affirming the importance of all languages across India and outlining plans to promote regional languages.
During my recent travels in South India, I observed a notable absence of antipathy towards the Hindi language, with many individuals proficiently conversing in Hindi. This trend is inevitable as people across India increasingly relocate to different states for work and business opportunities.
In conclusion, the unifying thread of Hinduism cements the bond between North and South India. Attempts to create division are destined to falter in the face of this strong cultural and spiritual connection.