It was an evening that brought Tamil literature, music and dance together.
To mark the launch of ‘Thirukkural Isaithamizh,' a musical compilation of 330 couplets from Tirukkural, and a lexicon on Tamil music, Tamil Maiyam, in collaboration with the Central Institute of Indian Languages, organised a grand event here on Friday. The couplets were sung by up and coming singers, and a dance performance based on the lines was presented by the group Avigna.
Tirukkural, written by poet-savant Thiruvalluvar, is considered a polestar of Tamil literature, offering guidance on almost all aspects of life. The album features songs that club five couplets.
The musical compilation features nearly 60 top and upcoming singers, singing the couplets set to tune by a group of young composers. The music, which seeks to present the couplets in a form that would appeal to youngsters, covers different genre, including Carnatic, folk and Western.
Commending the team behind the initiative, Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan said it was a remarkable initiative. Lauding the efforts of scholar N. Mammadu who has authored the lexicon on Tamil music, he said it would help know more about Tamil Isai, as it featured rare insights into the subject.
Tamil Maiyyam founder Fr. Jegath Gasper Raj said Tirukkural was for both believers and non-believers. “Those who have composed the music for this album are young and very promising musicians. It will be a treat,” he said.
Minister for Commercial Taxes S.N.M. Ubayadullah, Minister for Information Technology Poongothai Aladi Aruna, poet-lyricist Vairamuthu, Carnatic musicians Sudha Raghunathan and S. Sowmya, senior BJP leader L.Ganesan, director-cinematographer Rajiv Menon, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi MLA D. Ravikumar and Central Institute of Classical Tamil director S. Mohan were among those present.
