Date:02/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/02/stories/2008120259500400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“Chennai sabhas need fool-proof security system”

Special Correspondent

—Photo: V. Ganesan

(From left) Kartik Fine arts Art festival awardees S. Natarajan, Gayathri Venkataraghavan and Kuldeep M. Pai in Chennai on Monday.

CHENNAI: Every sabha should have a fool-proof security system and the crowds should be checked said G.V.Ramakrishna, former chairman of the SEBI, here on Monday.

Presiding over the 34th annual art festival of the Kartik Fine Arts here, organised in association with Bank of India and Mascon Global Ltd, Mr.Ramakrishna said as music sabhas in Chennai attracted a large turnout it would be better if they had security system. “Let us inculcate the habit of habit of controlling and preventing mishaps.”

Stressing the need for a comprehensive legislation to combat terrorism, Mr.Ramakrishna said the country should modernise the system as terrorism called for global action. There should be an organised system to prevent terrorism as terrorists were always one step ahead.

Justifying the increase in the number of sabhas in Chennai over the years, he said as the city was growing, natural distribution of audiences would occur only if there were more sabhas.

Inaugurating the festival, N.Murali, Managing Director, The Hindu, and president, Music Academy, suggested that music could be part of the curriculum as it helped transcend several barriers. He complimented the current generation of young musicians for being innovative. The current generation had its own style with deep roots in traditional values.

Music festivals in Chennai had grown by leaps and bounds and about 2,000 concerts were being organised by 75 organisations in the city during the festival season, which was unique in the world. There was a debate whether this overload of music was warranted. But, there was demand from the audiences from all over the world.

Kartik Fine Arts chairman L. Sabaretnam, welcoming the gathering. S.Ve.Sekhar, MLA, also spoke.

The sabha conferred the title ‘Isai Peroli’ on musician Gayathri Venkataraghavan, Kartik Rajagopal Golden Jubilee Award of excellence (best organiser) on S.Natarajan, general secretary, Nungabakkam Cultural Academy, and Smt.D.K.Pattamal Award of excellence on Kuldeep M.Pai.