A gathering of minds and heritage took place in Desaru, Johor, as some 800 people converged for the inaugural Mukkulathor Global Summit.
The three-day event saw participants from India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia and the US networking with locals to forge closer ties.
The Mukkulathor (meaning “three clans”) is a politically and socially influential confederacy comprising the Kallar, Maravar and Agamudayar communities, primarily located in central and southern Tamil Nadu, India.
Former MIC president Tan Sri Dr S. Subramaniam, who launched the event, said there was a need for greater unity among the three communities.
“This summit is a historic occasion as it brought senior Mukkulathor leaders together for the first time,” he said, lauding organising coordinator Nantha Kumaran Danapal for pulling off a feat never seen before.
He added that it was imperative to instil in the younger generation the universalist and humanist values of Mukkulathor icon Muthuramalingam Thevar.
“He was, above all, a champion of the suppressed and the poor.
“When he stood against the discriminatory laws of his time, he was not just fighting for a specific community, but for the fundamental dignity of the human spirit,” added Dr Subramaniam, who is also a former health minister.
He reiterated that these values remained relevant today.
Speakers from India included retired senior police officer Dr Masanamuthu who spoke on “Challenges of the Peaceful Era”, Prof Dr J. Stella on “Challenges within Cultural Identity”, and C. Vijayakumar on “Evidence-based Heritage and Preservation”.
Other topics ranged from historical perspectives and leadership by Dr Maruthu Mohan to the life and legacy of Pasumpon by Navamani K. Sellamuthu Thevar.
Regional insights were provided by Karnataka Thevar Sangam president V. Kanagaraj on economic cooperation, Singapore’s Harikrishnan Muthusamy on global business opportunities and S. Sendil Kumar on the India-Asean digital trade corridor.
Malaysian contributors included historian Datuk V. Nadarajan who spoke on his Kadaram research in Kedah, while Priyanka Vairavasundaram addressed the issue of youth empowerment.
Co-organising chairman Vijaya Kumaran Danapalan said the summit was not merely an event as it represented the awakening of a stronger global Mukkulathor identity.
“It demonstrates that when our community stands united with a shared vision and purpose, we possess the strength to shape our future and contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.
A 336-page book comprising research papers was also published in conjunction with the summit.
