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Musical start to Chennai Sangamam

— Photo: V. Ganesan

RECEIVING MEMENTO: Drummer Sivamani being honoured by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at the inauguration of the Chennai Sangamam in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: Funds for constructing a Chamber Hall in Chennai will be sanctioned if the State Government sends a proposal within seven weeks, Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said here on Saturday.

Participating in the inauguration of Chennai Sangamam, she explained that the amount could not be sanctioned if elections to the Lok Sabha were announced.

Two years ago, while attending a function in Chennai, Ms.Soni had said that the Centre would help setting up a hall with a seating capacity of 2,500. On Saturday Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi reminded her about the commitment. Ms.Soni said she had not forgotten her promise and the amount had been decided upon.

Mr.Karunanidhi said that the people in Delhi had to be reminded constantly about their promises. “But, they find fault with us,” he added.

He appreciated the efforts of DMK MP Kanimozhi in organising the festival saying she was spared from election work in Thirumangalam constituency to enable her to make the arrangements.

The Chief Minister expressed the hope that good news would come from Thirumangalam.

Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said, “when it comes to culture of the South, it is Tamil Nadu that dominates the mind of the North Indians.” He termed Tamil cinema the cultural expansion of the South.

Earlier, the opening ceremony was marked by a confluence of folk and classical music on the theme ‘Nadanthaai Vaazhi Cauvery,’ conceived by Ms.Kanimozhi.

There were classical dance performances, folk dances, kaavadi aatam, beating of a varieties of drums, senttai melam, playing of nagaswaram and thavil and display of silambam and other martial arts.

In the end, drummer Sivamani joined the folk artists.

Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister N. Suresh Rajan and Tamil Maiyam founder Jagath Gasper Raj spoke.

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