The government on Thursday announced a slew of measures for the promotion of traditional art forms in the State.
These include special courses in fine arts, improvement of facilities in government-run colleges and steps to improve quality of education in these institutions.
The government has proposed to launch special courses at its music colleges in Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai from this year. For this purpose, the government has allocated Rs. 3.01 crore.
The courses will be conducted in the evenings and during weekends for the benefit of homemakers and college students who wish to earn an additional degree. Similar courses will be conducted in dance too, said Vaigaichelvan, minister for school education, sports and youth welfare.
The government has allotted Rs. 1 crore for building workshops in all seven government colleges. A sum of Rs. 12 lakh has been allotted for appointing honorary lecturers in the music colleges.
The two fine arts colleges will also receive funds to upgrade facilities such as digital communication centres.
In an effort to upgrade the institutions, the government has proposed to set up an advisory board comprising experts. This apart, all colleges will also receive funds to purchase vehicles.
While some members raised the issue of increasing the stipend for students, others sought respite for indigent, elderly traditional artistes. The minister said the government would consider their demands.
Promoting tourism
Tourism minister P. Chendur Pandian announced in the Assembly that in order to improve tourist footfalls in the State, open air auditoriums will be built in Tiruvannamalai, Thanjavur and Rameswaram.
In Tiruvannamalai and Thanjavur, the government has proposed to conduct a traditional dance festival, starting this year.
A sum of Rs. 5 lakh for this programme, he said.
