உலகத் தமிழர்கள் ஒன்றிணையும் வரலாற்றுச் சிறப்பு மிக்க “கடாரம் கொண்டான்” சர்வதேச மாநாடு கம்போடியாவில்

PRESS RELEASE

Issued by: Angkor Tamil Sangam & Seenu Gnanam Travels, Siem Reap, Cambodia & YAAM Foundation (Chennai, India)

“Kadaram Kondaan” International Conference in Cambodia — A Historic Global Tamil Reunion

The “Kadaram Kondaan” International Conference, jointly organized by Angkor Tamil Sangam and Seenu Gnanam Travels, will be held from November 21 to 26, 2025, at the prestigious Bayon Era Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The main academic sessions will take place on November 22 and 23.

From 1986 to 2016, over a span of 30 years, my friend Mr. Gnanasekaran and I traveled around the world eight times with the noble objective of serving humanity.
Our first journey was by bicycle, spreading the message of “Nuclear Disarmament Awareness” to countries worldwide.
We then undertook seven more world journeys by motor vehicles, promoting humanitarian causes such as “Save the Rainforests,” “Protect the Environment,” “Save Antarctica,” and “Prevent Global Warming.”
These global journeys became historic achievements that revealed our life’s purpose and cultural responsibility to the world stage.

Introduction (Historical Background)

The Chola emperors who ruled the southern land under one umbrella were Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola. Rajaraja laid the foundation, and Rajendra, with his extraordinary power, built upon it magnificently.

They accomplished countless achievements in the fields of land measurement, documentation, industrial development, taxation, lifestyle reform, water and land management, judicial systems, and philanthropy.
Rajaraja’s Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur and Rajendra’s Gangaikonda Cholapuram still stand today as timeless monuments of glory.

Rajendra Chola I, the only king in Indian history to cross the seas and conquer multiple nations, surpassed even his father and elevated the greatness of Tamils on the world stage.

In the Tamil epic Muvarula, poet Ottakkoothar glorifies his victories:
“He who took the Ganges and Kadaram in his hand… and sat on the lion throne.”
This celebrates Rajendra’s conquest of the Ganges and Kadaram (Kedah).

Summary (Brief History)

Birth & Coronation:
Rajendra Chola, born to Rajaraja Chola and Tribhuvanamadevi on the Aadi Thiruvathirai star, was originally named Madhurantakan.
Titles earned: Mudikonda Cholan, Uttama Cholan, Vikrama Cholan, Pandita Cholan.
Reign: AD 1012–1044.
Became co-regent in 1012, full king in 1014, and conquered Sri Lanka in 1017.

Extent of His Empire:
Rajendra extended the Chola Empire far beyond Tolkappiyam’s boundary of “Vengadam to Kumari.” He ruled vast regions across South India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
The Tirumalapadi inscription precisely records Chola dominion from the Ganges in the north to Sri Lanka in the south, and from Kerala in the west to Kadaram (Kedah) in the east.

Navy & Naval Warfare:
Without modern technology, he built a massive naval fleet and conducted maritime expeditions as far as Sumatra/Srivijaya, defending trade routes and eliminating piracy.
This earned him the title “Kadaram Kondaan” (Conqueror of Kadaram).
The Leiden copper plates and Kedah inscriptions confirm this victory.

He mastered climate and ocean science, using wind direction, tides, and ocean currents to navigate ships with extraordinary precision—an unmatched maritime achievement of his era.

Capital Relocation & Architectural Grandeur:
To protect Thanjavur’s agricultural productivity from military campaigns, he relocated the capital in AD 1027 to Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
To commemorate bringing the sacred Ganges water to his land, he named both the city and himself “Gangaikonda Cholan” (The Chola Who Brought the Ganges).
He created the massive Cholagangam Lake (a water monument) and built the grand Gangaikonda Cholisvarar Temple with one of the largest Shiva lingams in history.

Golden Later Period (1025–1044):
He did not annex conquered territories by force but returned them to local rulers, practicing compassionate governance.
This established peace and prosperity known as the “Golden Age of the Later Cholas.”

Chola–Khmer Collaboration & Angkor Wat:
In the 11th century, Tamil–Khmer trade and cultural relations reached their peak.
Angkor Wat (500 acres) stands today as an everlasting symbol of this friendship.

Conclusion:
Rajendra Chola I, the king who conquered hearts broader than the ocean, fulfilled the Thirukkural ideal:
“Let one be born with glory…”
The Brihadeeswarar Temple and Gangaikonda Cholapuram, now UNESCO World Heritage Sites, continue to proclaim the good governance of him and his father to the world.

Why “Kadaram Kondaan” in Cambodia?

Rajendra Chola’s naval victories strengthened the reign of Khmer King Suryavarman I and deepened the Tamil–Khmer civilizational bond.
Through this conference, we are reviving a 1,000-year-old cultural bridge.

International Achievements of Angkor Tamil Sangam• World Tamil Conference (2018)
• World Poets’ Conference (2019 & 2023)
• Global Bharatanatyam Festival (2019 & 2020)
• International Bharatanatyam Conference (2024 & 2025)
• Thiruvalluvar Statue Inauguration & Symposium (2022)

Objectives of the Conference

• To reconnect World Tamils and Cambodia by reviving cultural and maritime history.
• To promote collaboration in history, culture, trade, and tourism.
• To implement the decision to install statues of Rajendra Chola I and Suryavarman I in 2026, and to launch the Tamil–Khmer Maritime History Museum Project.
• To facilitate business and investment opportunities: Business Meet on November 22^nd ,24^th ,25^th  2025 (6.00–9.00 PM) with Cambodian officials from the Textile, Health, Tourism, and Agriculture sectors and global Tamil entrepreneurs.

Business & Investment Meets — Special Program

November 21, 2025 (Afternoon):
A field visit will be organized for the conference delegates to explore agricultural lands and investment opportunities in Cambodia.

November 22, 2025 (6.00–9.00 PM):
In collaboration with YAAM Foundation, officials from the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture will

participate and discuss agricultural investment opportunities, land use, crop varieties, and export potential with global Tamil entrepreneurs.

November 24, 2025 (6.00–9.00 PM):
In collaboration with YAAM Foundation, officials from the Cambodian Ministry of Education  will participate and discuss to Establish Cambodian University of Oriental Studies and to Establish a Allopathy Medial College at Siam Reap.

November 25, 2025 (Evening):

In collaboration with YAAM Foundation there will be a discussion with officials of Textile Ministry to Explore the Possibility of Investment in Textile Industry.
In collaboration with YAAM Foundation, representatives from the Cambodian National Center for Traditional Medicine (National Center for Traditional Medicine) will participate.
This session will focus on research, education, treatment, and collaboration opportunities in traditional medicine.
Additionally, an official request will be made to recognize Siddha Medicine as a government-approved traditional medical system in Cambodia.

A Call for Global Tamil Unity

“Kadaram Kondaan 2025” is not just a remembrance of history;
it is a bridge to the future, creating new opportunities in culture, education, trade, and tourism through collaboration between Tamils and Cambodia.

Issued by:
Angkor Tamil Sangam & Seenu Gnanam Travels, Siem Reap, Cambodia & YAAM Foundation (Chennai, India)