Founded in December 2012 in Coimbatore, the Vanavarayar Foundation (TVF) was established by the members of the Samathur Vanavarayar family, with a vision to protect, preserve, and portray the art, heritage, architecture, culture and history of the Kongu region. Every month, the foundation organises visits to heritage sites and invites experts in various fields to deliver lectures on topics about the region.

“This month we have planned a heritage visit to Keezhadi village near Madurai. Our monthly lecture will be on Kongu Drama and it will be delivered by K.R. Babu,” R. Jagadesan of The Vanavarayar Foundation said.

Keezhadi is a tiny hamlet in Sivaganga district. The village attained star status of sorts in the history of Tamil heritage when the Archaeological Survey of India unearthed remains of a thriving civilization. About four dozen square trenches were dug out. This is believed to be home to one of the largest human habitations of the Sangam Age. TVF has plans of giving participants of this trip a glimpse of the life people lived some 3,000 years ago. A guide will accompany the group who will educate the participants on the Sangam Age. The foundation will charge a nominal fee for the day-long trip.

Heritage walks, lectures, discourses, and temple visits are open to public for participation. Visits to heritage sites are called Varalarru Ula. In March this year, TVF organized its ninth heritage visit. Kolumam, Kannadiputhur, Chozhamadevi, Kadathur, Kanivur, and Karthozhu were the sites that were visited. Also, in March, the foundation organized its 45th monthly lecture on the subject of Kalabhras in Kongu Nadu by senior epigraphist Dr. A. Padmavathy from Tirunelveli. The discourse educated people on Kalabhras, their origin, and reign. Her talk also threw light on the impact of their sovereignty and administrative adeptness on the Kongu region.