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Carnatic music and Quran are my eyes: Kalam

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI DEC. 14. Breaking traditions and protocol that normally go with a VVIP, the President, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, today greeted `nagaswaram' students and later sat with them to listen to the concert of Seerkazhi G. Sivachidambaram at the inauguration of the 60th annual festival of the Tamil Isai Sangam here.

The President kept the securitymen at bay as he freely mingled with sangam members both on and off the stage. He also posed for a photograph along with `nagaswaram' students, who played the national anthem at the beginning of the function. When photographers tried to take a snap of his presence along with the audience, he signalled them to take the photo of the music concert. Dr. Kalam also regaled the audience by singing a song composed by him during his speech.

The President wanted music to be included in the school curriculum. Music, he said, had a magical power, which would help improve the personality of students. It would also help them contain egoism. Expressing his view that everyone should have a sense of music in him, Dr. Kalam said he was for creating an awareness on music among people. For him, carnatic music and Quran were like his two eyes.

Earlier, the President conferred the title of ``Isaiperaringnar'' on the musician, M. Balamuralikrishna, on behalf of the sangam. He also presented a citation, medallion and a cash award to him.

Dr. Balamuralikrishna, thanked the sangam for honouring him on its 60th anniversary. The sangam president, P. R. Gokulakrishnan, said every year the sangam was bringing out a booklet on research activities on Tamil music carried out by the sangam. The Honorary secretary, A. C. Muthiah, explained the sangam activities in fostering Tamil music.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court Chief Justice, AR.Laksmanan, stressed the need for preserving Tamil music in its pristine glory.

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