Preach unity in diversity through arts: Stalin tells artists

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday appealed to the artists to preach unity in diversity through their art forms.

Speaking at the 96th annual conference and music festival of Music Academy in the city Thursday evening, Stalin said, "Generally, people make requests to the chief minister. But, it is the need of the hour that I place a request to artists today."

Referring to an interview of Music Academy president N Murali in which he had proclaimed that they preach unity in diversity through their music festivals, Stalin said, "That is the principle needed for the nation today. You must not reduce it to a principle espoused and advanced only by political parties. It should transform into the ideology of art institutions (Music Academy) and individuals."

Stressing that institutions like Music Academy must give importance to Tamil music and Tamil poems, the CM said that there are thousands of songs (Poems) in Tamil literature. The songs must echo in such academies and clubs without fail, he added.

"Be it Bhakti music, cine music, pop music or rock music, it must be Tamil music. Art will thrive only if language thrives. Artists and cultural academies must keep in mind that developing music is not just developing arts, but also developing Tamil, " the CM added.

State industries minister Thangam Thennarasu also participated in the event.