The State government has been constructing Manimandapams for great leaders to perpetuate their memory and to offer younger generation an insight into their history, said Parithi Ilamvazhuthi, State Minister for Information and Public Relations at Pattukottai in Thanjavur District on Saturday.
He laid the foundation for the Manimandapam in memory of Pattukottai Azhagirisamy, a Dravidian leader whose contribution to self respect movement was noteworthy. The Mandapam would be constructed at Rs. 58 lakh on 20 cents of land at Pattukottai, the Minister said. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said Azhagirisamy was his inspiration and called him his elder brother.
Azhagirisamy was born at Karukkakurichi village near Pattukottai and studied up to 10th standard. He had participated in the first world war. Inspired by Periyar EVR and his rationalist thinking, Azhagiri joined his self respect movement.
The Minister said a few days ago, foundation was laid for Marshal Nesamani Manimandapam at Nagercoil and Maveeran Ondiveeran Manimandapam at Palayamkottai.
J.Jayakanthan, Director of Information and Public Relations, said 50 Manimandapams, three memorial halls and five memorial pillars had been built in memory of great leaders. At Pattukottai, Manimandapam for poet Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram is there. Manimandapams for Thamizhisai Moovar at Sirkali in Nagapattinam district and Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai are under construction.
Earlier, the Minister visited the site where the Manimandapam is to be constructed. He was welcomed by the family members of Azhagirisamy.
S. S. Palani Manickam, Union Minister of State for Finance, S.N.M.Ubayathullah, State Commercial Taxes Minister, M.S.Shanmugham, Collector, and Durai Rajkumar, Deputy Director (Memorials), Department of Information and Public Relations, spoke.
