CHENNAI: A new modern and spacious auditorium, that resemble those in Malaysia and Singapore, would come up in the place of Kalaivanar Arangam, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said here on Saturday.
Addressing a starry gathering during the 42nd Kalaimamani Awards distribution function organised by Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram here, Karunanidhi said, “Kalaivanar Arangam, one of the well known auditoriums in the city, where several programmes have been organised earlier, would be demolished giving way for a bigger and modern auditorium.” “There should not be any hue and cry over the hall’s demolition as the demolition and renovations are meant to improve quality,” the Chief Minister said.
Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, at the function stressed the need to instill the idea of cultural identity and artistic heritage in children and the youth. “The electronic media should come forward to foster and spread our traditional art forms among the youth and we should encourage and motivate them to learn various art forms”, Barnala said.
He handed over the awards while Karunanidhi distributed gold medals to all those who received the State awards for their performance in their fields.
The awardees include well-known radio voice Saroj Narayaswamy, speaker S Masilamani, drummer Sivamani, Aishwarya Rajinikanth, film personalities like Sunder C, Bharath, Asin, Vineeth and Kooththupattarai S Muthukumar.
Among television personalities, actors Anu Hasan and Devipriya, directors Sunder K Vijayan and Thiruchelvan and producer Ramesh Praba received Kalaimamani Awards in different categories.
Actors Shobana, Nayanthara, Meera Jasmine, yesteryear star Saroja Devi and director Cheran did not turn up to receive their awards.
Eventhough his name did not figured in the list of awardees, Vineeth received Kalaimamani Award for best actor.
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