Drama artistes should take up the initiative for starting a film institute to hone their skills and for uplift the livelihood for stage artistes, said film director V. Sekar.
Speaking after conferring the “Kalai semmal” and “Valar ilam kalaignar” awards on drama artistes at a function organised by the Tiruchi Mavatta Nataka Nadigargal Sangam as part of its anniversary here on Thursday, Mr. Sekar said the popular film actors in the order of Sivaji Ganesan and M.G. Ramachandran underwent rigorous practice at various drama troupes before establishing a golden period in the film industry.
Similarly, scope for drama artistes to reach new horizons is still bright, he said.
Specifically appealing them to float a film institute, he said a district-level initiative could be taken up for producing or editing the films and for providing adequate opportunities to the local artistes. He advised them to develop a tie-up with the local television channels and explore the possibility of exhibiting their talents. “It is a fact that drama artistes did not enjoy the recognition as they did in the past decades. But, the opportunities are now wider than the past,” he said.
Referring the visual media courses being offered by various colleges, he said that the courses are more centred around technology, and less on acting techniques.
“The realistic spirit of acting can be depicted only by a drama artist,” he said.
Mr. Sekar suggested that all drama artistes across the State must unify together to float a State-level federation, to strengthen the demand for more benefits. Mr. Sekar appreciated the cooperation being extended by the family members of the artistes.
N. Sekar, secretary of Rasika Ranjana Sabha, said that more young artistes should be honoured.
T.K. Shanmugasundaram, script writer, and Kappal Krishnamurthy, poet, said the awards instituted by the association would go a long way in encouraging the artistes.
M. S. Mohamed Masthan, general secretary of the sangam, presented the citation.
T.N. Mangalam, Y. Arockiadas, S.S. Haja Mohideen, Parasai Bala, and K. Ranganathan were conferred with the “Kalai Semmal” award.
Two young artistes — Karvelazhagan and G.S. Manivel — were conferred with the “Valar Ilam Kalaignar” award.
