CHENNAI: MDMK leader Vaiko on Friday condemned the AIADMK government for trying to “corrupt the Tamil language” by writing ‘Namma Chennai’ in Tanglish (a blend of Tamil and English).
Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami unveiled the ‘Namma Chennai’ selfie spot on Marina Beach on Thursday. Vaiko wondered whether it was an iconic spot or a symbol for defiling the Tamil language.
He demanded that necessary changes be made to do away with the Tanglish term – Namma Chennai. “The Centre is trying to impose Hindi, while the TN government is trying to degrade the Tamil language. It is hurting,” he said.
The Tamil term ‘Namma’ (Ours) and Chennai in English were blended to create the selfie spot opposite to the Queen Mary’s College. The typography artwork was established at a cost of Rs 24 lakh as part of the Greater Chennai Corporation’s urban art project.
“It is not looking like a landmark. Instead, it is looking like a symbol of disrespect to the Tamil language,” he said in a statement and dissuaded the government from promoting the culture of Tanglish writing.
Vaiko said former chief ministers Perarignar C N Annadurai and Kalaignar M Karunanidhi had installed the statues of Tamil poets like Thiruvalluvar, Avaiyar, Veera Mamunivar, Bharathi and Bharathidasan along the Marina Beach and also established Valluvar Kottam to honour their contribution to the language.
He said the government that has a ministry for Tamil official language and Tamil culture should not indulge in activities that corrupt the language.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/vaiko-slams-tamil-nadu-govts-tanglish-use-for-namma-chennai/articleshow/80582079.cms
