மாதிரி

MADURAI: It was more than a film audio release function. For once, the Madurai Medical College grounds here turned into a literary platform where experts in their respective disciplines recited their verses.

The audio release function of the Tamil film, `Ajanta,' on Tuesday night, also saw the launch of the Ilayaraja Literary Association. Novelist D. Jayakanthan is the president of the association.

"It was inaugurated in memory of Pavalar Varadharajan and awards have been instituted in his name. Tamil scholars and promising writers will be honoured with cash prizes," Mr. Ilayaraja said.

Participating in the function, director Bharathiraja showered encomiums on his childhood friend and said that Ilayaraja did not confine himself to music, but transcended to the world of literature. "He knows the value of struggle and his thirst for knowledge is unquenchable," he said.

Four litterateurs were honoured on the occasion. `Pavalar Varadharajan Perarignar' awards were conferred on P. Namasivayam, a retired Tamil professor, and C. Kalyanasundaram popularly known as `Vannadasan,' for their meritorious service in the field of Tamil literature. The award carries a plaque and a cash prize of Rs.2 lakh.

`Pavalar Varadharajan Padaipilayakkiyam' (creative writing) awards were conferred on film lyricist Pazhani Bharathi and a Tamil professor S. Sethupathi, for relentless work in their respective fields. The award carries a plaque and a cash prize of Rs.50,000.

Drama artistes and musicians were also felicitated on the occasion.

Mr. Ilayaraja informed that the association would produce a documentary on the life of its president D. Jayakanthan.

Nostalgic memories engulfed Mr. Ilayaraja as he reminisced the days spent by him and Bharathiraja on the streets of Madurai. He was also very responsive to the crowd's request when he sang his popular number `Janani... Janani... ' from the film `Thai Mookambigai'.

`Angingu' orchestra performed the songs of the movie `Ajanta'. At the end, the audience had the satisfaction of seeing scholars being honoured at the seat of Tamil learning, for it would enliven young minds and inspire them into learning Tamil language with passion.