The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Muthamizh Peravai awards presented

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Muthamizh Peravai awards presented

Special Correspondent

"Use art forms to convey rational concepts"

CHENNAI: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi on Tuesday gave away the Muthamizh Peravai awards to exponents of prose, music and drama.

The Rajarathna award was given to Kheezhveloor N.G. Ganesan, Iyal Selvam award to Nirmala Suresh, Isai Selvam award to Aruna Sairam, Natya Selvam award to Shobana Suresh, `Thavil Selvam' award to Thalaichangadu Ramanathan and the Mrudanga Selvam award to Kumbakonam N. Padmanabhan.

The award carries a shawl, a citation and a medallion.

Mr. Karunanidhi called upon artists to use such art forms to convey rational concepts. He made it clear that he was only reiterating an appeal he made 60 years ago, at a wedding. His comments had sparked a debate on the desirability of such an interpolation, but he had stood his ground. The art form itself would be enhanced if the plight of the poor could be captured in it.

Explaining the genesis of Iyal, Isai and Natakam (prose, music and drama), Mr. Karunanidhi said it was the drama that was born first. Prehistoric man used sign language to communicate, and this could be considered the first drama. Later, music originated when he merely stressed on a particular sound.

The last to arrive was prose, and it had a pride of place in language.

TNCC president G.K.Vasan, who presided, said excellence was the only criterion for selection for the awards.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail