Apart from the government, connoisseurs of arts have the responsibility to preserve the cultural heritage of the country, especially classical dance forms, said V. Narayanasamy, Union Minister of State for Planning, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture.
Presiding over the Founder's Day function organised by M.A. Chidambaram Charities, he said the governments were duty bound to protect the rich cultural heritage of the country. Art forms such as sculptures, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and North Eastern art forms could become extinct in course of time without the support of art enthusiasts, he said.
Appealing to connoisseurs of art to contribute to cultural preservation, Mr. Narayanasamy pointed out that there were over 8 lakh cultural symbols that needed protection in the nation. The government at present could only preserve 3675 cultural sites. Celebration of 1000 years of Big Temple in Thanjavur was an effort to take the cultural glory of the past to the younger generation. Culture was the unifying spirit of a diverse nation like India, home to hundreds of languages and many religions. Culture lent the country its unique identity, he emphasised.
Mr. Narayanasamy presented Raja Annamalai Chettiar award for contribution to growth and development of Tamil literature to Poovannan, a retired professor, with over 150 books to his credit.
M.A. Chidambaram Chettiar award for outstanding contribution to growth and development of fine arts was conferred on sculptor Mani Nagappa. A.C. Muthiah Award for excellence in first generation entrepreneurship was presented to P.C. Thomas, Managing Trustee, Good Shepherd International School, Nilgiris.
Industrialist A.C. Muthiah welcomed the gathering. Devaki and Ashwin Muthiah read out the citations. M.A.C. Charities Secretary V. Rajagopal proposed the vote of thanks.
