“At a time when politicians are wondering whether they can succeed in garnering votes in the ensuing elections, it will be our primary duty to protect the Dravidian movement which was founded for upholding self-respect of Tamils,” the CM said speaking after inaugurating the fifth year of the Chennai Sangamam celebrations here.
Stating that the Dravidian movement was founded with an aim to bring back the glorious era of Tamils during the time of kings Raja Raja Chozhan and Rajendra Chozhan, who had spread the glories of Tamils beyond seas, Karunanidhi said nowadays, no political outfit could be started in Tamil Nadu without the prefix ‘Dravida’.
Recalling the harrowing experiences he and his associates faced five decades ago in Villupuram, when the Dravidian movement was in its fledgling stage, Karunanidhi said people referred to them as parayas who came to enact a drama.
“Now, if the same drama is enacted again in Villupuram, the people of today will regard it as ‘folk art’ and that is the glory of Dravidian movement”, he added.
Hailing the contribution of her daughter and Rajya Sabha Member Kanimozhi in nurturing folk arts through Chennai Sangamam for the past four years, Karunanidhi paid rich tributes to the dance drama titled Vanam Vasappadum (even the sky can be brought brought under one’s possession), which laid stress on forming a society sans barriers like caste.
Fr Jegath Gaspar, founder, Tamil Maiyam, revealed that Karunanidhi had donated Rs 1 crore from the trust run by him to Chennai Sangamam celebrations this year.
Poet Vairamuthu said the Sangamam programmes have helped revive folk art forms, which were in a ruinous state, and helped the folk artistes earn their livelihood.
No comments:
Post a Comment