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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 31
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026
Installation of statues of Tamil freedom fighters
31 Shri S. Kalyanasundaram:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) the number of statues of Tamil freedom-fighters installed in New Delhi and the
number of streets or roads officially named after them, with a list of names and dates
of installation/notification;
(b) whether the recent submission by Tamil Nadu, including thousands of names
identified by Raj Bhavan as those in the INA, is considered for such national
commemorations;
(c) whether there is a plan to install a statue of Raja Raja Chola, builder of Thanjavur’s
Brihadeeswarar temple, in New Delhi; and
(d) the steps taken to preserve and promote Chola-dynasty art, culture, history and
heritage, including research, museums, festivals, publications and global exhibitions?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) Naming of streets is not the mandate of Ministry of Culture. No such record is
maintained by the Ministry of Culture.
(b) At present, no such recommendation is pending. Ministry of Culture under its
Centenaries & Anniversaries Scheme commemorates birth centenaries and special
anniversaries such as 50th/75th/100th/125th/150th/175th etc. of eminent personalities and events
of historical importance of the country.
(c) No.(d) 1) Ministry of Culture, South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), Thanjavur
Celebrated the “Commemoration of 1000th years of King Rajendra Chola-I Maritime
Expedition in South East Asia and Commencement of Construction of Gangaikonda
Cholapuram Temple” at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple , Ariyalur district , Tamil Nadu
from 23rd July to 29th July,2025.
2) The King Raja Raja Chola I Great played a pivotal role in reviving Tamil Shaivite
hymns Devaram and Thiruvasagam during his rule and earing of him the title Thirumuari
Kanda Cholan. Hence, South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur Conducts workshops and
recital programmes of Devaram and Thiruvasagam by othuvars for revival of Tamil hymns
in the Various Saivite temples in Tamil Nadu viz , Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur
, Thiruvarur district and Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0 in Varanasi. Weekly training class of
Devaram and Thiruvasagam with Students one hundred and fifty students learning at
Karanthani Tamil Sangamam, Thanjavur since April,2023 to till date.
3) Ministry of Culture, South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), Thanjavur conducts
procession and programmes of old traditional Tamil artforms like Bharatanatyam,
Thappattam, Karagattam and Kavadiattam in Sathayavizha (Celebrating the Anniversary of
the great Chola Emperor Raja Raja Cholan I), Navarathiri Vizha, Temple car festivals in
Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur every year.
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