In recent times, the most powerful challenge to the stranglehold of Dravidianism in Tamil Nadu has largely emanated from non-institutional forces — from a combination of passionate individuals pursuing full-time professions and jobs, and from disparate groups concerned with the very survival of Sanatana culture in Tamil Nadu. The emergence of the Internet and social media as the modern public square has not only intensified the challenge but has also made serious dents in the Dravidian citadel, visible now in the physical space as well.

In 2019, an event in Kanchipuram made global headlines. It was neither new nor innovative. It was simply a continuum of an ancient, unbroken tradition of Hindu piety — the grand and gorgeous celebration of Atti Varadarajaswamy, an occasion roughly comparable to, say, the Kumbh Mela.

Once every 40 years, the deity of Atti Varadarajaswamy is taken out of an underground chamber located inside the tank of the Varadaraja Perumal Temple, and elaborate puja is performed for an entire ‘Mandala’ or 48 days. This is the only time that the public is allowed darshana of the deity sculpted out of atti (fig) wood. According to tradition, this deity was the original moola-murti (main deity) of the temple, which was concealed in order to........

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