Transport Minister K.N.Nehru has assured the drama artistes that they will soon be provided houses in Ariyamangalam area here and said the government is according priority for the welfare of the indigent artistes.
Speaking at the fifth anniversary celebrations of the Tiruchi Maavatta Nataka Nadigargal Sangam (Tiruchi district Drama Artistes Association) after distributing Kalaichemmal awards to seven drama artistes – Si.Ra.Kathan, Vanathikadir, S.Thangaraj, A.Soosaimanickam, M.Santhaiyan, Mu.Ra.Lingam and M.Saraswathi and a `Porkizhi' of Rs.5,555 to Subashini, an indigent artiste, at R.R.Sabha on Sunday, the Minister said Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi had introduced a scheme under which houses would be constructed and given to the drama artistes near Chennai and pointed out that drama artistes would be provided houses in Tiruchi also.
Mr Nehru said drama played a vital role for the Dravida movement to rule Tamil Nadu in the last four decades and pointed out that late C.N.Annadurai and Karunanidhi came to limelight only through dramas at the initial stage . He said efforts were taken to install statues of actor Sivaji and of M.R.Radha in Tiruchi.
The Minister appreciated the Tiruchi District Drama Artistes Association for providing various assistance to the indigent artistes . The government is also carrying out several welfare schemes for the artistes, he said.
Mr Nehru also released Pattathu Yaanai (drama book) written by Kalaimamani M.S.Mohamed Masthan, general secretary of the Tiruchi District Drama Artistes Association, who had the credit of staging more than one thousand social, comedy and historical dramas. Besides, Mr Masthan has been directing dramas for various government welfare schemes and awareness programmes.
The Minister also unveiled the portraits of actors Sivaji, M.G.Ramachandran, M.R.Radha, M.K.Thiyagaraja Bhavagathar and N.S.Krishnan at the function.
Mr Masthan who presided over the function, said the association, had been rendering yeoman service for the welfare and development of drama artistes.
Film actor Harikumar, who was a special guest, distributed identity cards to the drama artistes . Si.Ra.Kathan, president of the association, Anbil Periasamy and K.N.Sekaran, MLAs and A.W.Shahinsha, regional secretary of the minorities federation spoke.
The function concluded with a historical drama `Pavalakodi' staged by Tiruchi Annai Nataka Mandram, acted by Manapparai Kalaichemmal K.S.Krihnappa troupe and directed by M.S.Mohamed Masthan thrilled the audience.
