S. Gurumurthy on Tamil Identity, Dravidian Politics, and the Future of Tamil Nadu

S. Gurumurthy, commentator and ideologue, has sharply critiqued the way Tamil identity has been shaped and politicized in the state over the last century. In a recent talk, he argued that the Dravidian movement, spearheaded by the DMK, appropriated Tamil pride for political ends while sidelining the deeper spiritual and civilizational roots of Tamil culture.

The “Theft” of Tamil Identity

At the heart of Gurumurthy’s argument is the claim that the DMK “stole” Tamil identity by equating it with Dravidian ideology. He contends that Dravidianism is not a linguistic or cultural framework but a racial and divisive political construct. Tamil literature and history, he insists, are inseparable from Sanatana Dharma and the broader currents of Indian spirituality, not from separatist or regionalist narratives.

According to Gurumurthy, the DMK initially showed little interest in genuine Tamil culture. Its leaders often ridiculed traditional Tamil practices and relied more on English in their own lives. Only after the anti-Hindi agitations of the 1960s, he says, did the party seize upon Tamil identity as a tool to consolidate power.

Critique of Dravidianism

Gurumurthy dismisses Dravidianism as a “racial and regional” construct with no linguistic foundation. “If Tamil is Dravidian identity,” he asks, “then what about Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu? They are all Dravidian languages.” By reducing Tamil pride to a political slogan, he argues, the movement fostered exclusion rather than inclusion.

He further claims that decades of Dravidian politics have left Tamil Nadu underperforming. In his words, “Tamil Nadu should have been the California of India. It is underperforming because of corruption and failed leadership.” While the state has achieved modernity, he suggests that it has done so at the cost of deeper cultural coherence.

Congress, DMK, and the Political Vacuum

Tracing the political trajectory of Tamil Nadu, Gurumurthy argues that the Congress once had strong Tamil nationalist credentials. However, it failed to engage with local aspirations, leaving a political vacuum. The DMK stepped into this space, merging Tamil pride with Dravidian ideology and establishing itself as the dominant force in the state.

Today, Gurumurthy believes, another vacuum is opening. With the decline of Congress and the contradictions of Dravidianism, he sees an opportunity for the BJP to reclaim Tamil identity. Unlike the DMK’s politicized approach, he urges the BJP to ground its Tamil narrative in Bharatiya symbols, ancient Tamil saints, poets, and traditions.

A Future Beyond Dravidianism

For Gurumurthy, authentic Tamil identity must be simultaneously modern and deeply spiritual. It should embody pride in the Tamil language and culture while affirming its place in India’s civilizational ethos. He is skeptical, however, about whether Dravidianism and this authentic Tamil identity can coexist.

His advice to the BJP is clear: do not depend on alliances with Dravidian parties. Instead, invest decades in cultivating a Tamil narrative that resonates with both local culture and the broader Bharatiya tradition.

Conclusion: The Way Forward for Tamil Nationalism

For S. Gurumurthy, the future of Tamil nationalism lies in reclaiming its authentic roots rather than allowing it to remain confined within the boundaries of Dravidian politics. He emphasizes that Tamil identity is not opposed to Indian identity but is instead enriched by its place in the broader civilizational framework of Bharat.

The way forward, in his view, requires three steps:

1. Cultural Reconnection – Reasserting Tamil’s spiritual and literary heritage, linking it to Sanatana traditions rather than separatist narratives.
2. Political Renewal – Building a Tamil political imagination that avoids the corruptions and contradictions of Dravidianism, while creating space for fresh leadership.
3. Inclusive Nationalism – Crafting a Tamil pride that stands tall as a regional strength and simultaneously as an integral part of India’s cultural unity.

By doing so, Gurumurthy argues, Tamil Nadu can recover its potential as a modern, prosperous, and culturally self-assured state. A Tamil nationalism anchored in both local pride and Bharatiya identity, he suggests, will not only heal the fractures left by decades of divisive politics but also offer the state a new path of leadership within India’s federal democracy.