Latest news with #SouthZoneCulturalCentre
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Culture unites, politics divides, says Governor
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi on Sunday said Thanjavur has historically been the cultural capital of southern India but lamented that its prominence had diminished because of the dominance of political narratives from Madras (now Chennai). Speaking at the valedictory function of the Salangai Nadham cultural festival organised by the South Zone Cultural Centre in Thanjavur, he criticised the influence of Western political ideologies post-Independence, claiming they had led to divisions among people based on religion, language, caste, culture, and food. Padma Shri award-winners, including Swamimalai sculptor Radhakrishna Sthapathi and traditional theatre artiste Kannappa Sammandham from Tiruvannamalai, were honoured at the event. He said prior to Independence, people from Tamil Nadu responded emotionally to events such as the Partition of Bengal and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. 'Today, however, unity is only visible during times of war or terror threats as seen during Pakistan's aggression.' Mr. Ravi alleged that governments talked about protecting culture but did little to promote Tamil culture and failed to honour stalwarts such as the Alwars, Nayanmars, U. Ve. Swaminatha Iyer, and Subramania Bharati. 'There isn't even a single research centre in Bharati's name,' he pointed out. Emphasising that culture is the true unifying force of the country, he said its promotion could not be relied on by the government but must be supported by society and benevolent individuals. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the Centre's administrative officer, Srinivasan.
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Salangai Naadham to feature artistes with disabilities
The South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC) has decided to help artistes with disabilities to showcase their talents at Salangai Naadham 2025 to be conducted from May 10 to 18. Disclosing this to the press here on Wednesday (May 7), SZCC director K .K. Gopalakrishnan said that every day one of the six programme slots would be earmarked for artistes with disabilities at the event featuring various folk/tribal art forms from different States. Alongside the event, food stalls and stalls displaying handicrafts and other products would also be set up on the SZCC campus. Stating that it had been decided to collect entry fee from visitors, he said that while ₹20 would be collected as entry fee per person, ₹30 would levied as parking fee for cars and ₹10 for two-wheelers. The decision to collect entry and parking fee was a sequel to the directions issued by the Union Ministry, which had instructed the SZCC, an autonomous body, to generate funds to bridge the gap in the funds required for the administration and conduct of programmes by the Centre. It had also been decided to hold similar events at Kallanai, Manora and Anicut areas in Thanjavur district and at Pudukottai and Mayiladuthurai districts during the same period in association with the respective district administrations as in the past, he added.
