The Hindu : Front Page : “DMK did not bring up Rama’s name first”

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Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007
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“DMK did not bring up Rama’s name first”

Staff Reporter

Karunanidhi presents State Government’s Film Awards

— PHOTO: R. RAGU

HONOURING ARTISTS: Rajinikanth receives the ’Best Actor’ award from Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi in Chennai on Tuesday. (From left) Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, Information Minister Parithi Ilamvazhuthi and actor Kamal Haasan are in the picture.

CHENNAI: The name of Rama was brought into the Sethusamudram controversy by certain sections that felt insecure and feared further development of Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said at the State Government’s Film Awards Ceremony here on Tuesday.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was not the first to bring up Rama’s name in the controversy, he said.

“I have nothing against Rama. I don’t hate him. We have always hailed people’s contributions to society and therefore hailed Rama’s too. Are we against the river Krishna because of its name? Why, even Sai Baba came to our house and assured support in sourcing water from the river,” he said.

Emphasising the need to understand the difference between history and mythology, he said C.Rajagopalachari, in his preface to the Ramayana, had said that Rama is not divine but a human being who took the righteous path.

“This project was considered even during the British rule, nearly 150 years ago. Later when Kamarajar was the Chief Minister, he discussed the proposal with Nehru, who was the prime minister of the country then. Arignar Anna too, in his tenure as chief minister, addressed the issue,” he said.

The DMK had always urged the Centre to consider this project, he said, adding, “However, nobody brought in devotional and religious connotations then. It was seen merely as a development-related project that would expand our business ties with other countries.”

Actor Rajinikanth, who spoke earlier, requested the Chief Minister to consult his politician friends in north India and come up with a feasible solution to the issue. In response to this, Mr.Karunanidhi later said: “I have a request, too. You too have friends in north India. When you visit the Himalayas next time, tell the sages there that I have nothing against Rama. In fact, my leader Periyar was called Ramasamy,” he said, to laughter from the audience.

Actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan thanked the government for its support to Kollywood. Governor Surjit Singh Barnala said cinema should be used as a medium to improve the quality of life of people, create civic consciousness, public morality, national responsibility and solidarity.

Actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan received the ’Best Actor’ award for 2005 and 2006 respectively, for ’Chandramukhi’ and ’Vettayadu Vilayadu’.

Actors Jyothika and Priya Mani were honoured with the ’Best Actress’ award. Actors Vikram, Suriya, Vijay, Ajith, Karthi, Sandya, Nasser, Prakash Raj, Pasupathi, Vivek, Vadivelu received awards in various categories. Producer-director Shankar, music director Harris Jayaraj, choreographer Kala, playback singers Bombay Jayashri, Sriram Parthasarathy, Art Director Thotta Tharani, lyricists Pa.Vijay and Na.Muthukumar were among the other awardees. Veteran playback singer T.M.Soundararajan was among the ’Kalaithurai Vithagar’ (Accomplished artiste) awardees.

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