The 52nd Tamil Isai Festival began at Raja Muthiah Mandram on Wednesday. This 10-day event started with a nadaswaram performance and Thevara Innisai by music students. Chief guest Rama Kathiresan presented awards to M. Thangaraju and Poet Velayutham. Many upcoming artists also got prizes during this celebration of Tamil music.
A 10-day 52nd Tamil Isai Festival of Madurai Tamil Isai Sangam began at Raja Muthiah Mandram on Wednesday.
The event commenced with the 'Mangala Vadyam' (nadaswaram) performed by E. N. V. Parameswaran and E. N. P. Venkatesan.
The students and faculty members of Rani Lady Meyyammai Achi Music College performed "Thevara Innisai".
Santi Kathiresan lit the kuthuvilakku. Trustee Mohan Gandhi welcomed the gathering and explained the various activities initiated by Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar and M. A. M. Ramasamy Chettiar. He also read the citations for the Muthamizh Perarignar Award and Porkizhi Award.
Rama Kathiresan, former Vice-Chancellor of Annamalai University and chief guest, presented the Muthamizh Perarignar Award to M. Thangaraju, former Vice-Chancellor of Periyar University, and the Porkizhi Award to Poet Velayutham, former Tamil teacher of St. Mary's Higher Secondary School, Madurai.
Mr. Rama Kathiresan appreciated the services of Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar in establishing the Tamil Isai Sangam in 1943 to propagate Tamil music.
Valarum Kalaingar awards were given to many upcoming artists, and prizes were given to the winners of various competitions for students from schools and colleges. Sports kit was also presented to Government Kallar Higher Secondary School, Kappalur, Madurai. Trustee Ramasamy proposed a vote of thanks.