The Tamil Isai Sangam conferred the ‘Isai Perarignar' title on noted violinist T.N. Krishnan at the inauguration of the Sangam's 68th music festival here on Tuesday.
The award carries a citation, a medal and a cash purse of Rs.10,000, donated by Lakshmi Aachi, daughter of Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar.
Speaking after inaugurating the festival, S. Jagathrakshagan, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting lauded the efforts of Tamil Isai Sangam and said it was doing the work of the government by promoting Tamil Isai. Tamil was the only language which had all the three forms of fine arts – music, poetry and drama. Nowhere else in the world a music season was being organised as in Chennai, he said.
Tamil music has a long tradition and the nuances in music were mentioned in Paripaadal. In Silappadhikaram there were 130 ‘Panns' of which only 30 were known. Efforts should be made to identify the remaining ‘Panns' also, he suggested. The Sangam should take up research on Panns in Devaram and Naalayira Divya Prabhandham. P.R. Gokulakrishnan, president of Tamil Isai Sangam in his address said Tamil music was traced back to the days of Tholkappiam. Even in Silappadhikaram there was mention of Tamil music, he said.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Krishnan said his association with the Sangam went back 60 years. The Tamil Nadu State had always given an important place to music. A.C. Muthiah, honorary secretary of the Sangam spoke on the occasion.