2nd Lead (Adds details, photos)

Tamil literary festival begins in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 October 2004, 01:39 GMT]
First day of the Tamil Literary Festival-2004 organized by the Cultural section of the NorthEast Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs started at 8.30am at the Jaffna Hindu Ladies College Hall, Saturday, civil sources in Jaffna said. Provincial Director Mr.R.Visakalingam presided.

The guests of honours were Mr.C.Ilamparithi, Jaffna district political head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Professor A.Shanmugathas, Head of the tamil Department in Jaffna University, Mr.S.Mahalingam, Senior Assistant Secretary of the North east Provincial Education Ministry and Ms S.Mahalingam, Additional Provincial Director of Education, Jaffna district.

Students of Jaffna Hindu Ladies College sang welcome song saluting Tamil language. Nallur Pichchaiayappa-Raju group played Nathaswaram music at the commencement of the event.

Mulliyawallai Tamil Vidiyalayam staged Pandara Vanniyan stage play followed by rabban music played by Akkaraipattu Muslim artistes. Students of Jaffna University Fine Arts Faculty also staged dance and music events.

In the morning session held at Dr. Green Hall, three research papers on the Traditions of Tamil Eelam Education written by Eastern Campus Lecturer Ragunathan, Jaffna Campus Lecturer Easwaranathapillai Kumaran and Rev.Father Dr.Jebanesan were presented at the morning session of the proceedings. Poet S.Vilvaratnam read tge article on behalf of Dr.Jebanesan. Eastern Campus academic, Professor Mounaguru presided the event.

During followup discussions on the papers, Mr.Vilvaratnam, pointed out that the authors of the papers have mainly focussed on the state of Education in Jaffna. Papers will have added significance if other areas of Tamil habitation have also been included in the research studies.

Jaffna's veteran Tamil scholar Vidwan K.Sokkalingam (Sokkan) declared open the Book Exhibition Saturday morning.

The festival will continue for three days, according to organizers.

Mr.S.Mahalingam, Senior Assistant Secretary to the Provincial Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs is seen lighting the traditional oil lamp inaugurating the evening session of the first day festival

Veteran Tamil scholar and author of several research books Vidwan K.Sokkalingam (Sokkan) cutting the ribbon and declared open the book exhibition on the first of Provincial Tamil festival.Provincial Director of Education Mr.Visakalingam is seen extreme left and Professor Mounaguru is seen extreme right

Jaffna Campus Lecturer in Tamil Language department, E.Kumaran

Prof.Moounaguru speaking at the event

Section of attendees to the event