Seventy-two personalities honoured with ‘Kalaimamani’ titles

Seventy-two artistes and eminent men in the field of arts, music, literature and culture got the Tamil Nadu government’s “Kalaimamani” title awards at a function organised by Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram here at Kalaivanar Arangam, yesterday.

The 42nd awards distribution function of the Iyal Esai Nataka Mandram had the Governor Surjit Sing Barnala and Chief Minister M Krunanidhi participating and honouring the awardees with gold medal and citation.

Actors Dhanush, Bharath, Vineeth, Sundar C, Pasupathi, Vaiyapuri, Asin, Aiswarya Rajinikanth, producer Abhirami Ramanathan, spiritual speaker Suki Sivam, well-known radio voice Saroj Narayanaswamy, speaker Masilamani, Kooththupattarai S Muthukumar and drummer Sivamani are some of the awardees.

Among television personalities, actors Anu Hasan and Devipriya, directors Sunder K Vijayan and Thiruchelvan and producer Ramesh Praba received Kalaimamani Awards in different categories.

Actors Shobana, Nayanthara, Meera Jasmine, yesteryear star Saroja Devi and director Cheran did not turn up to receive their awards.

The awards function is the last function to be held at the auditorium and it would be demolished giving way for a bigger and modern auditorium.

Addressing the stary gathering, Mr. Karunanidhi said that a new modern and spacious auditorium, that resemble those in Malaysia and Singapore, would come up in the place of Kalaivanar Arangam. It was known as Pavalar arangam before. Even before that, the state’s assembly functioned here. It was Karunanidhi who renamed it as Kalaivanar Arangam.

Governor Surjit Singh Barnala stressed the need to instill the idea of cultural identity and artistic heritage in children and the youth. Educational institutions should encourage and motivate children to learn various art forms and the media should come forward to foster and spread our traditional art forms among the youth, he said.

- Asian Tribune -