AYODHYA/LUCKNOW, Oct. 9 -- Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with chief minister Yogi Adityanath, on Wednesday, unveiled statues of three South Indian saint-musicians - Tyagaraja Swamigal, Purandara Dasa, and Arunachala Kavi - at Brihaspati Kund in Ayodhya's Tedhi Bazaar, highlighting the convergence of North and South Indian culture. Addressing the gathering, the finance minister, who is on a two-day visit to Ayodhya, said, "Devotion to Shri Ram in South India is not just a matter of faith, but a way of life. Ram resides not only in the North, but in every home in the South." The ceremony, marked by South Indian rituals and devotional music, witnessed the presence of Sitharaman's parents, adding an emotional touch. Adityanath welcomed the Union minister with a traditional bouquet. Sitharaman said, "Ayodhya is not only a centre of faith but also a symbol of India's cultural soul." She paid tribute to the three saints, noting that their compositions and poetry promoted love, devotion, and unity while projecting Indian classical music to the world. She added that the statues signify the enduring North-South cultural connection between Ayodhya and Karnataka. Highlighting Tyagaraja Swami's life of devotion, she said he refused to sing for kings, dedicating every song solely to Lord Ram, according to a press statement issued by the state government. She recalled that his composition Seetha Kalyanam is sung at weddings across South India, including her daughter's wedding. She added that in Kerala, during the month of Ashadha, homes light lamps and recite the Valmiki Ramayana, reflecting the intangible tradition of devotion as the soul of the nation. The finance minister mentioned that not only male saints but also a woman from the potter community composed Molla Ramayanam in Telugu, setting an example of devotion. "In Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, the glory of Shri Ram has been sung, this is the soul of India," she said. The chief minister said the city of Shri Ram is emerging as a centre of cultural renaissance, with the Union minister's visit symbolising India's unity. He said this occasion is not only a symbol of the cultural unity between North and South India but also a historic step toward national unity and harmony under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, said a press statement issued by the state government. He noted that these three saints dedicated their entire lives between the 15th and 18th centuries to the devotion of Ram, and it is a matter of pride for all of India that their statues are now placed at the feet of their beloved Lord Ram. He, along with UP finance minister Suresh Khanna and tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh, admired the artistic craftsmanship of Brihaspati Kund, praising the serene lake, intricately carved stone benches, and well-maintained grounds as a reflection of Ayodhya's rich cultural heritage....