Kamal Haasan speaks at DMK event, says Dravidian culture is pan-Indian

Tamil movie world mega star Kamal Haasan on Thursday said Dravidian culture is pan-Indian and would continue to exist till the word `Dravida' exists in India's national anthem.

Speaking at the 75th anniversary celebrations of DMK mouthpiece, Tamil daily Murasoli on Thursday, 10 August, he said: "Many are predicting that Dravidian culture would vanish. But Dravidam (Dravidian culture) would continue to exist till the word Dravida exists in the national anthem."

He said Dravidian culture is actually a pan-Indian culture that spread from the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Haasan also said that way back in 1983 DMK President and Murasoli Editor M. Karunanidhi had sent him a telegram asking as to why he should not join DMK. "I didn't answer to that telegram," Haasan said, adding that the DMK chief did not ask him about it again due to his magnanimity.

The actor stated that he did not want to miss an opportunity to sit along with editors of various dailies and magazines and hence decided to accept to participate in Thursday's function. Haasan, who has of late been critical of the AIADMK government, was one of the keynote speakers at the event and shared the stage with former Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin.

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth also attended the event and was seated among the special guests, which included former BCCI chairman, N Srinivasan.

Both the actors are rumoured to be planning an entry in politics.