Eight-day Tamil music festival begins in Colombo

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 November 2003, 02:57 GMT]
An eight-day Tamil music festival ' Rama Nama Ganamirtham,' organized by the Colombo Kamban Kazhaham began Monday evening in Colombo at Wellawatte Ramakrishna Mission Hall. The Supreme Court Justice, Mr. C.V.Vigneswaran, inaugurated the festival.

"Arts such as music and dance cannot thrive in a war situation when people fear for their future and when a bomb will alight on their heads," said Mr.Vigneswaran.

He added that although dark clouds hover in the political sky these days, music festivals are held consequent to the cessation of hostilities and ceasefire.

"We hope that Rama Nama Ganamirtham music festival will help to foster an atmosphere of peace in our land. One can develop one's spiritual strength through singing and listening to music," said Mr.Vigneswaran.

At the commencement of the festival, Colombo Kamban Kazhaham Secretary, Mr.P.Balasuntharam, lit the traditional oil lamp. Vidwan M.Panchabikesan played Nathaswaram music. Colombo Kamban Kalzaham President, Mr.V. Eswaran, honoured all the artistes participated on the first day’s event by offering golden shawls, sources said.

Later, a special recital of Sangeetha Vidwan, Ms. Pooshani Kalyanaraman, was held. Ms. Kalyanaraman was born in Velanai in the Jaffna district and later domiciled in Chennai where she married to Carnatic Vidwan Mr.Kalyanaraman. Kanchi Madam in South India conferred her with the title " Sivagnana Ranjitham". She served at the Jaffna Fine Arts College as a music lecturer for some time. The Tamil Nadu government later conferred on her the prestigious award of “ Kalai Mamani" for her services to the development of carnatic music in Tamilnadu.