LTTE releases audio CD in Vavuniya

[TamilNet, Monday, 26 July 2004, 00:38 GMT]
“ At a time when forces against Tamil unity are conspiring to destroy the Tamil nationalist movement, we have to unite and awaken Tamil national consciousness,” said Mr. K.V. Balakumar, a senior member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, speaking at an event to mark the release of an audio CD by the LTTE in Vavuniya Saturday with a view to raising Tamil national consciousness, sources said.

The music CD was titled, “Rocking in mother’s lap”. The event was held at the auditorium of the Vavuniya Irambaikulam girls’ college. Mr. T. Gnanavel, the political head of the LTTE in Vavuniya presided over the event. Mr. S. Thangan the Deputy political head of the LTTE, Mr. Pon Thiyagam, the head of the Martyr’s Affairs division, Mr. Puthuvai Ratnathurai, Poet and head of the Arts and Culture division and Ms. Alai, the women’s political head in Vavuniya also attended the event.

Mr. Sanjay, the head of the National Awakening Movement released the first audio CD to Mr. Thirukumaran, the head of the Martyr’s family Welfare Maintenance division.

Speaking as the Special guest, Mr. Balakumar further said, “ Attempts are being made to weaken Tamil nationalism, to destroy the armor that guards the Tamil nation, and to roll back the gains made through struggle. Such attempts should be vigorously challenged and defeated. For that purpose, the Tamil people should unite and have a heightened awareness of the issues confronting the Tamil nation today. Music is one way of creating such awareness.”

“The national defense forces of the Tamil nation will not lower their guard. The Tamil people are facing poisonous danger, and we must safeguard them against such dangers. Music calms the mind, nourishes the soul and motivates life. Music used as a medicine as well. Through such music, our society’s ills must be addressed and the society must be awakened. There should be many more audio CDs like this,” said Mr. Balakumar.

In his speech, Mr. Ratnathurai said that there have been 109 audio CD releases so far in the long struggle for freedom. “This is one of the many accomplishments of our struggle. Today, it is the age of being hurried. Individuals are becoming islands unto themselves, with ties between husband and wife, parents and children, friends, relatives and community being cut. Everything is being done in a hurry. It is becoming a common attitude that people should be alone. Interest in any activities such as sports, music, reading, get-togethers, singing, etc. is declining. Such a situation should change. The publication of the audio CD should help with that.”

Mr. Senkathir, a musician and LTTE fighter who was instrumental in bringing out the music CD, proposed the vote of thanks. Mr. Thangan distributed awards to all those artists who contributed to the creation of the CD.