The first World Tamil Conference was held in Kuala Lampur in April 1966. That was then called the International Conference Seminar of Tamil Studies. The then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M Bhaktavatsalam invited the delegates and observers of that Conference to hold the Second Conference Seminar in Madras. The International Association of Tamil Research and the Government of Madras jointly organized that Conference Seminar in January 1968. Over five hundred delegates attended. Of them, two hundred and twenty were from various countries. Forty nine were from Ceylon and forty two from the USA.

To coincide with the occasion, a World Tamil Conference was also arranged by the State Government and by then Arignar Anna had become the Chief Minister. It was on this occasion that ten statues were unveiled on the Marina beach. They include Thiruvalluvar, Avvai, Kamban, Dr G U Pope, Bharathi and Kannagi.

Language was at the centre stage and personalities, though they were all tall and distinguished, were relegated to the background. The President of India and the Governor of Tamil Nadu were there. So were Chief Minister Annadurai and Ministers, V R Nedunchezhiyan and Mu Karunanidhi. M G R was the Chairman of the Souvenir Committee.

Subsequent World Tamil Conferences held in the State were used as occasions to eulogise the organisers, namely the State Government. Sycophants were more in attendance than genuine Tamil Scholars. Scholars owing allegiance to the opposition party were neglected, as the Conferences acquired a political colour and identity.

The Ninth World Tamil Conference, slated to be held at Coimbatore in June/ July 2010 is going to be no different.