About Us | NAVI MUMBAI TAMIL SANGAM

In the year 1976, a handful of Tamil lovers in New Bombay (currently Navi Mumbai) formed a sociocultural organization in the form of New Bombay Tamil Sangam (currently Navi Mumbai Sangam) at Vashi, in the state of Maharashtra, to serve the citizens of Maharashtra in general and fulfil the sociocultural needs of the Tamil diaspora in particular. From its humble beginning with 30 members, the organization has now grown both in size and stature and at present it has around 900 life members..
Later, with the herculean efforts of office bearers of the Managing Committee and the Board of Trustees, the NMTS office was constructed within the limited financial resources at their disposal taking the help of Tamil enthusiasts in and around Navi Mumbai and Mumbai., Further, the premises were upgraded and expanded and In the Silver Jubilee year of 2002, Shri V. Ranganathan, IAS inaugurated the NMTS building on the 27th Subsequently in the year 2020, to increase the scope of its activities, the Sangam took the initiative to renovate and expand its building complex. The Board of Trustees in collaboration with the Building committee walked the extra mile to face numerous hurdles such as Corona pandemic, curb on CSR donations, labour paucity and completed the renovation in the year 2023 etc. This renovation exercise was facilitated by the generous donation received from the Government of Tamil Nadu and well-wishers and life members of the Sangam. The renovated premises was inaugurated by the Honorable Minister of Tamil Development Mr. M.P.Saminathan 23rd August 2023.

Some of the main objectives of the Sangam can be mentioned as :-

To promote and preserve the Tamil language, literature, legacy, heritage, culture and fine arts and preserve the legacy and heritage
To encourage and endeavour the study of other languages
To award prizes, scholarships, stipends, lumpsum grants, and other incentives to needy and meritorious students from the funds of the Sangam or out of specific donations received from the Public and/or any institutions
To establish and maintain Library or Libraries and reading rooms at any one or more places
To create any Trust, for the management of the immovable properties of the Sangam for the furtherance of the objects of the Sangam
To make donations or contributions for any public purpose and towards activities or for purposes connected with or conducive to the objects of the Sangam
To undertake any kind of relief work and give charitable help to all worthy causes of the community and nation

Navi Mumbai Tamil Sangam is governed by two bodies viz. Board of Trustees (BOT) and Managing Committee (MC). The Board of Trustees, which has 5 Trustees inter alia looks after the management and administration of the Building Fund and maintains all immovable and movable properties assigned and vested in it to facilitate the attainment of the objectives of the Sangam. On the other hand, the Managing Committee, consisting of 11 members, is vested with the delegated Executive powers for the overall administration of the Sangam and the conduct of sociocultural activities to fulfil the objectives of the Sangam. At present Mrs. Rajasri Nagarajan is the President of the Managing Committee, and Mr. S. Ehambaram is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Right from its inception, NMTS has been conducting Tamil classes free of charge for more than four decades. Many non-Tamil speaking persons as well as the children of local Tamils benefit from this class and learn the Tamil language.
To familiarize young children with the greatness of Thirukkuralr, the greatest of literary works in Tamil, NMTS has been arranging a Thirukkural Recitation competition for school and college students from 2002 onwards. Nearly 1000 students participate in this event every year and they are awarded participation gifts and special prizes are awarded to the winners.
NMTS took the initiative to get the road adjacent to its building to be renamed “Thiruvalluvar Salai“ in 2004.
The state of Maharashtra witnessed its first Tamil conference successfully held by NMTS in 2005, The conference brought all Tamil organizations in the State under one umbrella to foster Tamil unity.
The Patron of NMTS, Dr. V.G. Santosham’s VGP Ulaga Tamizh Sangam has donated a 7.5 ft. high Thiruvalluvar statue weighing 1.5 tonne, which has been installed at the NMTS building complex in the year
For the past 9 years Navi Mumbai Tamil Sangam has been enabling the provision of Tamil textbooks in Maharashtra .. Navi Mumbai Tamil Sangam coordinates with the local schools teaching the Tamil language and obtains book donations worth Rs. 3 lakhs from the Tamil Nadu Text Book & Educational services Corporation of the government of Tamil Nadu. These books are being transported from Chennai to Navi Mumbai, by NMTS and distributed to the schools in Mumbai free of cost at a special function organised for this purpose.
NMTS has been recognized as a Study Centre for virtual learning by the Tamil Virtual Academy, a global e-learning University of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Sangam’s students have been appearing for the examinations and clearing the same with very high scores.
NMTS has the unique distinction of being the only cultural organisation, which provides the sterling performance of world-renowned artists free of charge to its members and the public every year.
Pongal, a major and favourite festival of Tamils spread all over the world is celebrated each year by NMTS with pomp and gaiety. A lavish Pongal feast for its members and well-wishers, totalling nearly 1500 persons is arranged by the Sangam every year.
The Sangam celebrates ‘Thiruvalluvar Day’ and invites fellow Tamil Units to honour Saint Thiruvalluvar.
NMTS celebrates the birthdays of People’s President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as ‘Youth Talent Promotion Day’ and provides an opportunity for youngsters to showcase their talent. Similarly, lyricist Kaviyarasu Kannadasan’s birthday is also celebrated with enthusiasm, as Light Music Program titled ‘paattu paadaa vaa’.
To inculcate patriotic spirit among the youth, NMTS organises a patriotic dance festival titled as ‘Vandhe Maatharam’ around our Independence Day and invites various dance schools to present dances based on patriotic songs.
NMTS celebrates the birthday of the national Poet, Subramanya Bharathiar by organising recitation, elocution, essay and music competition based on the poet’s works. Prizes are distributed to the students.
‘ Tamil Isai Aaradanai’, is a unique music festival and one of its kind in Maharashtra which highlights the Tamil Isai compositions and composers.
Pattimandrams and seminars are organised by the Sangam in which globally renowned personalities and litterateurs participate.
As part of the International Women’s Day programme, a free medical check-up camp by a reputed hospital chain for all citizens is being conducted every year. Lectures by renowned medical practitioners and counsellors are arranged. Coupled with this, NMTS encourages the lady entrepreneurial and culinary skills of ladies by organizing an exquisite food festival. A cosmopolitan multi-lingual variety entertainment programme is also organised on the occasion. Women Achievers are felicitated on this occasion with ‘Achiever’s awards.
Senior Citizens Day and Differently Enabled Person Day are also being celebrated apart from national Days like Republic Day and Independence Day.
NMTS felicitates the learning of Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music, Mridangam, Karate, and Bollywood dance.
NMTS library has a rich collection of Tamil literary works, novels self-development books and poetry collections. It serves the members as well as the general public.
NMTS has recognized the significance of promoting awareness about Disaster Management among the youth. It has actively participated in the conduct of “Disaster Management Training Camps” for school children in and around Navi Mumbai and has educated 15,000 children in this critical skill.
NMTS has consistently exhibited its philanthropic spirit by collecting donations to help the victims of natural disasters and has donated the amounts to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

In successive years, NMTS has been conducting programmes to nurture the growth of Tamil and its culture, Tamil education, enhancing the skills of women, welfare of senior citizens, protection of environment etc. The service being rendered by NMTS over the years has attracted the attention of regional, national and international leadership and NMTS has been the recipient of various awards.

Navi Mumbai Tamil Sangam was adjudged as the ‘BEST TAMIL SANGAM OF INDIA’ d The Maldives University and India-Maldives Friendship Kazhagam”.
Thanjavur Tamil University, in association with Thanjavur Tamizh Thai Trust, declared Navi Mumbai Tamil Sangam as the “Best Tamil Sangam”.
The Government of Maharashtra conferred ‘the “Gaurav Samman” award upon Navi Mumbai Tamil Sangam.
As a crowning glory, NMTS received the most coveted “Tamizh Thai” award for 2014 from the Tamil Nadu Government at the hands of the former TN CM, Selvi J. Jayalalitha.