Art forms nurtured Tamil language, says Chief Minister M.K. Stalin

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said on Saturday that art forms had played — and continued to play — a significant role in nurturing the Tamil language, and it was the Dravidian movement that introduced ideology and propaganda through theatre.

“Writings, oratory, literature, and art nurture language. If a language is destroyed, it will pave the way for destruction of a race, culture, and identity. If we lose our identity, we will lose our right to call ourselves Tamils,” he said, while conferring the Kalaimamani awards of the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023.

“What is the point in living without the identity of Tamils and self-respect? Let us protect the arts, our language, and our race. Our artists should go all over the world and spread our art forms and culture,” he said.

The Chief Minister also presented the M.S. Subbulakshmi Award to vocalist and playback singer K.J. Yesudas, the Bharathiyar Award to N. Murugesapandian, and the Balasaraswathi Award to Muthukannamal. Recalling the contributions of DMK founder C.N. Annadurai, poet Bharathidasan, writer S.S. Thennarasu, actors M.R. Radha, K.R. Ramasamy, Sivaji Ganesan, S.S. Rajendran and others, Mr. Stalin said they had spread the ideas of the Dravidian Movement through theatre, cinema, and literature.

Mr. Stalin said the DMK government had been following in the footsteps of its late leader Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi in supporting artists, as reflected in the felicitation of music director Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja for composing a symphony. “The Dravidian movement promoted Tamil music, writing, and theatre. It enriched the language on public platforms and reformed society,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the Kalaimamani awards were intended to protect ancient art forms and those who practised them.

“The objective is to breathe new life into dance and drama and to promote our art forms in other States and across the world. The Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram is also providing financial support to artists in need of assistance for their sustenance,” he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin; Information Minister M.P. Saminathan; K. Manivasan, Additional Chief Secretary of the Tourism, Culture, and Religious Endowments Department; Vagai Chandrasekar, Member-President, and Vijaya Thayanban, Member-Secretary, of the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram, were present.