Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami conferred ‘Isaiyazhwar’ title on thavil maestro Padmashri A K Palanivel on Tuesday. The award carries a gold medal and it has been instituted by Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru organising committee.
Inaugurating the 14th edition of Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru, the annual music festival organised by Lakshman Sruthi Musicals, here, the Chief Minister paid rich tributes to the Carnatic musicians and said the State government would consider the organisers’ plea to recognise light music as organised industry.
He also recalled the efforts of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in establishing the Tamilnadu Music and Fine Arts University.
In memory of veteran music composer M S Viswanathan, a wax statue of the legend was unveiled by vetern actress Saroja Devi on the occasion.
Lakshman Sruthi Musicals had conceptualised the festival in 2005 and they have been organising the event for the benefit of rasikas at Kamarajar Arangam every year during Margazhi. The 14th edition will be on till 25 December.
Meanwhile, V Lakshman of Lakshman Sruthi urged the Chief Minister to ensure that classical music and dance programmes are conducted in all the districts.
He also requested that light music be recognised as an industry so that the over one lakh persons involved in the profession would benefit.
Ishari K Ganesh, Chancellor, Vels University, Devanathan Yadav of the India Makkal Kalvi Munnetra Kazhagam, industrialist Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetti were among those present on the occasion.