“More need to be done to promote Tamil Isai’’

: Carnatic musician Seerkazhi G. Sivachidambaram was on Sunday accorded the title ‘Isai Perarignar’ by the Tamil Isai Sangam at the inauguration of its 72 annual Tamil Isai festival.

Madras High Court Judge S. Nagamuthu, who also gave away the ‘Pann Isai Perarignar’ award to Thiruvidaimaruthur S. Sambantha Desigar, said that music helped to inculcate values and discipline. He urged parents to teach music to their children. “If there is so much violence happening today, it is because we have failed to impart to our youngsters the values contained in the teachings of Avvaiyar, Thiruvalluvar, Kambar and Naaladiyar,” he said.

The Sangam also honoured 100-year-old L.P. Kr. Ramanathan Chettiar for his contribution to ‘Pann Isai’ as the secretary of the Pann Research Committee from 1949 to 2013.

Mr. Ramanathan said that a lot more needed to be done to promote Tamil Isai.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Sivachidambaram, who is the 59th ‘Isai Perarignar’ awardee, said that he was honoured to receive an award that revered musicians including M.S. Subbulakshmi, M.L.Vasanthakumari and M.M.Dandapani Desikar had received.

He said that Tamil songs should be given more prominence during Carnatic concerts.

President of the Tamil Isai Sangam Justice P.R.Gokulakrishnan said it was Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar who showed the world that Tamil is not without its ‘Isai’.

He established the Sangam in 1943 and Pann research in 1949.

Honorary secretary of the Sangam A.C. Muthiah commended the artistes for their contributions to Tamil Isai over the years. The festival will go on till January 1, 2015 at the Rajah Annamalai Mandram at the Esplanade.