The Madras High Court Bench here on Friday took serious note of an article published in The Hindu Tamil on the pitiable plight of folk artists in the State and directed the State government to file a detailed report by October 29 listing out steps taken by it to preserve the art form and protect the welfare of artists depended on it.
A Division Bench of Justices S. Nagamuthu and V.S. Ravi passed the order on a public interest litigation petition filed by Madurai Bench of Madras High Court Bar Association on the basis of the news article published on Friday. They appreciated the association for the concern expressed by it and said that it was indeed a PIL petition in true spirit.
Authoring the interim order for the Bench, Mr. Justice Nagamuthu said: “Tamil Nadu is known for its great tradition of folk arts. These are not only for entertainment but are also a symbol of aesthetic value of Tamil people.
Pivotal role
They play a pivotal role to keep the society together with peace and tranquillity. Iyal (literature), Isai (music) and Nadagam (drama) find their roots since the Sangam age. “There is a message in the Tamil epic Silapathikaram that Madhavi performed 11 types of Koothu (dance). It is known that there are more than 100 types of folk arts like Karagattam, Mohiniattam, Kuthiraiattam and Thappattam. Today’s generation may not know these folk arts which are slowly fading away.”
Attention needed
Observing that it had been brought to their notice that the State government had established a welfare board for folk artists besides identifying about 99 folk arts which require attention, the judges said: “Despite the same, the article in The Hindu Tamil gives an impression that there is lack of attention to preserve these folk arts… Hence, in our considered view, this matter requires to be dealt with judicially.”
Order follows a PIL petition filed based
on The Hindu Tamil report
