We wanted to understand the civilisation we come from: Minister Thangam Thennarasu

In an exclusive interview with Frontline, Minister Thangam Thennarasu discusses the Indus Valley Civilisation, its links with the Tamil language, implications for Dravidian history, and more.
On September 20, 1924, archaeologist John Marshall announced the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilisation through excavations at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. Many years later, scholars Iravatham Mahadevan and Asko Parpola studied the antiquity of the Tamil language and its link with the Indus Valley Civilisation. On September 20, 2024, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said the State government planned to hold an international conference and install a life-size statue of Marshall.
He and Minister for Archaeology Thangam Thennarasu recalled how the Indus Valley Civilisation was “pre-Aryan” and the Indus language or languages “must have been pre-Aryan too”. This civilisation spanned 2,000 sites across 1.5 million square kilometres in the territories of India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan during the Bronze Age (3000-1500 BCE).
Earlier this month, CM Stalin announced a $1 million prize for experts or organisations that succeed in deciphering the scripts of the Indus Valley Civilisation for everyone to understand.
Want to understand the historical significance of these scripts? Minister Thenarasu explains its implications for Dravidian history, how artificial intelligence can be used to decrypt meanings, and more.
Highlights:
Detailed explanation of the connection between Indus Valley Civilisation and Tamil language
Analysis of archaeological findings over the past decades
Must watch for:
Students of history
Anthropological enthusiasts
Journalists and researchers
Anyone interested in Tamil Nadu's archaeological sites
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Credits:
Interview by R.K. Radhakrishnan
Camera: Mridula V and Samson Ronald K.
Editing by Samson Ronald K.
Produced by: Saatvika Radhakrishna
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