Chennai, March 14 (NationPress) The Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thangam Thenarasu, has revealed plans for the creation of an Indus Valley Cultural Gallery at the Egmore Museum in Chennai. This initiative aims to honor the centenary of the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

During his budget presentation in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Friday, the minister highlighted the government's dedication to safeguarding and promoting Tamil heritage.

To exhibit Tamil Nadu’s rich history to visitors from both domestic and international spheres, the government plans to establish Tamil Cultural Museums in Mamallapuram and Thiruvannamalai, he stated.

According to Thangam Thenarasu, these museums will showcase the ancientness and continuity of Tamil culture, providing visitors with an enhanced understanding of the state’s historical and artistic heritage.

The Egmore Museum currently hosts over 2,000 stunning bronze sculptures, created by master craftsmen using Aimpon, a traditional amalgam of five metals. The finance minister mentioned that to better display these masterpieces, a new gallery will be constructed with a traditional architectural style within the museum complex at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore.

He also noted that the gallery would deliver an immersive experience for guests, highlighting the serene expressions, graceful stances, and intricate mudras of these sculptures.

As part of the government’s ongoing mission to explore and document Tamil Nadu’s ancient cultural wealth, extensive archaeological excavations will be carried out in various sites during the 2025-26 financial year, he added.

Thangam Thenarasu specified that the excavation locations include Keezhadi (Sivaganga district), Pattanamarudur (Thoothukudi district), Karivalamvanthanallur (Tenkasi district), Nagapattinam (Nagapattinam district), Manikkollai (Cuddalore district), Adichanur (Kallakurichi district), Vellalur (Coimbatore district), and Thelunganur (Salem district).

Moreover, the cultural research initiative will extend beyond Tamil Nadu to sites like Palur (Odisha), Vengi (Andhra Pradesh), and Maski (Karnataka), thereby enriching the comprehension of Tamil heritage beyond state borders, Thangam Thenarasu added.

He also stated that the artifacts retrieved from these excavations will be subjected to advanced scientific evaluations, including Ancient DNA analysis, Metallurgical studies, Micro Botany, and Pollen analysis.

These evaluations will be executed in conjunction with leading global research institutions, ensuring a comprehensive study of Tamil Nadu’s ancient civilizations, Thangam Thenarasu remarked.

The finance minister disclosed that Rs 7 crore has been allocated for these archaeological excavations and research endeavors.

He also announced plans for deep-sea archaeological excavations along Tamil Nadu’s coastline, aiming to uncover evidence of the state’s extensive maritime trade with regions like Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Roman Empire.

In the first phase, a thorough deep-sea excavation will begin in 2025, covering the area from Kaveripoompattinam to Nagapattinam, he added.

Thangam Thenarasu further mentioned that this initiative will involve consultations with esteemed archaeologists and partnerships with top technological institutions. He stated that the Tamil Nadu government is devoted to preserving and showcasing its rich cultural heritage through modern museums.

As part of this vision, several new museums will be established, including the Noyyal Museum in Erode district (at a cost of Rs 22 crore), focusing on the 13 Kodumanal excavations, and the Naavaai Museum in Ramanathapuram district (at a cost of Rs 21 crore), highlighting the maritime trade prowess of the Pandyas during the Sangam period, as stated by Thangam Thenarasu.

Through these initiatives, the Tamil Nadu government aspires to showcase the grandeur of Tamil culture on a global platform. Thangam Thenarasu reiterated that by investing in archaeological research, advanced scientific analyses, and museum infrastructure, the state aims to safeguard its historical legacy while making it accessible to the global audience.