‘Symbol of power, independence…’ Significance of Tamil cultural heritage ‘Sengol’ in new Parliament

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicates the new Parliament building to the country on May 28, a chapter of history will be revisited. PM Modi will install the historic ‘Sengol’ (sceptre), near the Speaker’s seat. ‘Sengol’, a major cultural symbol of India’s Independence, marked the transfer of power from the Britishers in 1947. Sengol, an Indic civilizational practice from the Chola Kingdom, holds huge importance in Tamil culture. The Sengol emerged as an iconic symbol of the Chola reign, symbolizing the power, legitimacy, and sovereignty of the Chola kings. The Sengol, which was handed over to Pandit Jawharlal Nehru, was the craftsmanship of Vummidi Bangaru, a famous jeweller in Madras. The five-feet long intricately carved, unbending gold-plated silver sceptre, with a finial of Nandi (divine bull deity) on top, was specially commissioned by the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam. A replica of the Sengol is still kept in the Vummidi Bangaru Jewellery and maintained by the descendants of Vummidi Bangaru.