MODI'S NEW VESHTI STRATEGY

Rich cultural symbolism dominates a Modi visit to poll-bound TN, but sceptics aren't sure of saffron’s sync with Tamil identity

- By Kavitha Muralidharan

IT WAS A SUBLIMELY choreographed moment of political theatre, of the grandiose genre that has long been seen to befit the man. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the ancient Brihadiswara Temple, holding a vessel of gangajal from Kashi, framed against the gopuram and the blue Tamil skies behind. That July 27 image from Gangaikonda Chozhapuram, tweeted by BJP leader H. Raja with the caption 'Living Gangai Kondan', went viral. The symbolism was thick, and hard to miss.

Modi’s two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, beginning July 26, also brought the usual rain of inaugurations: infrastructure projects worth Rs 4,800 crore, including the expansion of the VO Chidambaranar Port, and a Rs 450-crore terminal at the airport.

CULTURAL MESSAGING