Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Documentary on Tamil musical tradition planned

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has decided to make a documentary, retracing the Tamil musical tradition from Sirkazhi Moovar, known as Tamil Trinity, to nagaswaram legend Thiruvavaduthurai N.Rajarathinam Pillai.

Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mantram has been entrusted with the task of making the film and Rs.5 lakh has been allotted for the project.

“The script is ready. It is based on the book ‘Carnataka Sangeethathin Aadi Mummorthikal,’ penned by Mu. Arunachalam Pillai,” said poet Ilayabharathi, member-secretary of the Mantram, who has hands-on experience in filmmaking.

An expert committee comprising T.S.Letchappa Pillai and S. Premila Gurumurthy was appointed to study the project and it has approved the script.

The period of the Tamil Trinity – Muthuthandavar (1600-), Arunachala Kavirayar (1711-1778) and Marimutha Pillai (1712-1787) was much before time of the Carnatic Trinity – Thiyagaraja Swamigal, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Shastri. But the documentary would not confine itself to these three Tamil composers. “It will reflect the Tamil music tradition, drawing essentially from Sangam literature, classical tradition, bhakti movement, especially Thevaram, Thiruvachagam singing,” said the order issued by the Tourism and Culture Department.

Mr Ilayabharathi said the the 40-minute documentary would articulate the views of Rajaji, Kalki, T.K.Chidambaranatha Mudaliar and subsequently the contribution of Dravidian leader such as C.N.Annadurai and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

“In making the film I would like to follow the approach of Mani Kaul, who produced a documentary on famous singer Siddheswari Devi,” said Mr.Ilayabharathi, who made Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s Thenpandi Singam into a television serial.

It is going to be shot in temples where the Trinity had sung their compositions and in places they visited. Well known musicians would participate in the effort and sing the compositions of the Trinity.

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