Zonal Cultural Centres(8nos) in the country was the brain child of the late Prime Minister RAjiv GAndhi.Accordingly, the South Zone Cultural Centre(SZCC) was set up in Thiruvaiyaru.Subsequently, it was shifted to Thanjavur. As the Department of Culture,Govt. of India provided for infrastructure and adequate funds for their functioning with meagre amount of funding from the Dept. of Culture and constituent states. Some of the centres were given liberal funds or buildings to set up thier office by the state Governments, where the centres were located. Unfortunately, Govt. of Tamil Nadu chose to give 25 acres of land on lease beyond Thanjavur Mediccal College. The officers posted as Directors for convenience sake set up an office in Chennai and operated from there at the cost of efficient functioning of the centre. In the absence of Rules governing staff, financial control, running of programmes etc., As a result, the staff recruited on adhoc basis were regularised and they were allowed to handle huge funds for which vouchers/settlements were delayed beyond limits and in many cases members of staff started temporary defaulcation of funds and in certain cases submitted false vouchers. The Auditor appointed by the centre was also hand in glove with these corrupt members of staff.
In August 1995, I was posted as Director, South Zone Cultural Centre,Thanjavur-an autonomous body under the Department of Culture, Ministry of Tourism & Culture. The Governor of Tamil Nadu is the Chairperson of this Centre. My years (1995-2000) with South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur was one of the memorable periods in my career. Even though, I was fairly good at writing and speaking, I never thought I would fit nicely into the role of a Cultural Administrator. The job involved promotion of South Indian art and Culture with special focus on dying art forms. The SZCC covered all the 4 states of South India and the 3 Union Territories Lakshadweep Islands
After calling on the Chairperson, H.E the Governor of Tamil Nadu at Rajbhavan Chennai, I visited my headquarters at Thanjavur. I was shocked to see the asbestos roofed and thatched buildings that housed the office of the Director of SZCC , the staff and store rooms etc. They are located in 25 acres of land 7 km away from Thanjavur town. It was little beyond the Medical College
I felt relieved when the Chairman of SZCC His Excellency, the Governor of Tamil Nadu Dr. Chenna Reddy permitted me to operate from a portion of the “White House” - a small Bungalow in the Raj Bhawan complex. With a skeleton provisional staff , I also operated from Chennai; but planned and executed relatively good number of and well - conceived and well -attended cultural events . At the same time, I worked on construction of an office and cultural complex at Thanjavur even though we did not have funds for construction of a building nor did we get any financial support either from Govt.of India or from the constituent states. I went around with a begging bowl; finally succeeded in getting the land in Thanjavur assigned and financial support of Rs 2 crore. The SZCC woes its permanent building to the Hon'ble Chief Minister Dr.KAlaignar for his financial support once the issue was taken to his notice.It happened by mid 1998.
PHOTO WITH DR. CHENNA REDDY at the All India
Arts & Crafts Festival,1995
In addition to scheduled programmes, South Zone Cultural Centre,Thanjavur contributed to the cultural pageantry of the 7th SOUTH ASIAN FEDERATION GAMES SAF Games,1995) held in Chennai ,where 2400 artistes drawn from various parts of India Dubai
PHOTOS OF REHEARSALS
1. 1996 Dubai India Fair 1996
2. Children particiapte in RD parade 1997
3.1997- Pon Purakkl
4.1998- VAnnathu Poochigal
5. In 1998, a folk troupe was sent to MAURITIUS AND REUNION ISLAND in addition to
specialists in making traditional food items, make up and decoration.
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4.(Everyone of us who are fortunate to enjoy the fruits of freedom born out of the sweat and blood of the freedom fighters- is duty bound not only to pay tributes to them but also work for the attainment of the goals and ideals that were dearer to them. With this in mind, I organised PON PURAKKAL (Golden Doves- the symbol of freedom and peace) – on 15 August,1997 to mark the inauguration of the Golden Jubilee year celebrations on the sands of Marina.
PHOTO OF RED FORT
The days programmes started with a massive Freedom Run, in which 50000 school and
college students, personnel from the armed forces, Olympians and others participated.
Thiru M.K Stalin,then M.L.A and Mayor of Chennai flanked by Olympian Shiny Wilson and
K.Raamamoorthy led the Freedom Runners from War Memorial to the Marina Beach.
PHOTO
(Thiru M.K Stalin lit the Freedom Flame at the Seerani Arangam)
PHOTO
(H.E the Governor of Tamil Nadu Justice Ms. Fatima Beevi and the Chief Minister of Tamil
Nadu inaugurated PON PURAKKAL by beating the drum)
PHOTO
(Others seen in the picture- flanked by Mr.V.Mullai Vendan and Dr.M.Thamizh Kudimagan
on the left, by Prof.K.Anbazhagan and Mr.K.Raamamoorthy on the right)
1100 children drawn from 22 schools in Chennai sang in chorus (from the centre stage) 9
patriotic songs- 5 of Mahakavi Bharathi, 3 of Namakkal Kavingar and 1 of Deika Vinayagam
Pillai set to music by the veteran music director M.S Viswanathan.
PHOTO OF CHILDREN SINGING
2400 school children presented colorful dances to the tune of these patriotic songs.
PHOTOS OF PERFORMANCES
In August,1998 a 3 day GRAND FINALE OF THE GOLDEN JUBILEE of Indian
Independence – by name “VANNTHU POOCHIGAL”. As advised by the Hon'ble Chief
Minister Kalaignar, at the time of my brief presentation of the programmes to be staged, the
title 'Pattam Poochigal' was changed to 'Vannathu Poochigal', meaning thereby that we ,the
buttrflies of varied hue and colour,enjoy the fruits of freedom and merrily fly around.The
motly coloured butterflies represent Indians of various castes,creed and community.
In order to recall with reverence the supreme sacrifices made by the freedom fighters,who
were incarcinated in the notorious Cellular Jail of Andaman 1200 kms away from the main
land, a replica of Cellular JAil measuring 300'x56' was erected on the sands of marina.It
formed the imposing 3 dimensional backdrop fro the 3 day cultural programmes.240
workers and artistes worked round the clock for 16 days to put up this three storeyed
mammoth replica with 7' pile foundation in the beach.
PHOTO OF THE INAUGURAL FUNCTION HIGHLIGHTING THE JAIL
Rehearsals were held in the beach for two days to ensure perfect presentation and finish.
PHOTOS FO REHEARSALS OF CHILDREN AND ARTISTES
National awardees like Jesudas, Mandolin Srinivas, Dr. Sheik Chinna Moulana, Kunnakudi
Vaidyanathan, Dr. Padma Subramaniam, Chitra Visweswaran, Sudha Rani Ragupathy, A. R.
Rahman, Pushpavanam Kuppusamy, sudha Raghunathan, Dr. Navaneetha Krishnan, S.P.
Balasubramaniam, Malaysia Vasudevan, M.s. Viswanathan, T.K. Kala and others presented
colourful and fascinating programmes.
PHOTOS
short plays on eminent freedom fighters of South India like Bharathi Dasan, Kittur
Rani Chinnamma, Velu Thampi Dhalava,Alluri Seetharana Raju and Viswanatha Dass and
others were staged.
PHOTOS
5 nos. of naval ships were anchored off the Coromandal Coast
the Grand finale.Air crafts of the Indian Coast and Indian Air Force participated in
the fly past. Indian coast guard helicopters showered petals o the function.
PHOTOS
Freedom Rallies were taken out from 7 important places in the region such as Punditry
where Bharathiar spent some years in exile, Panchalam Kurichi, where
Veerapandya Katta Bomman was hanged, Mannady, where Velu thambi Dhalava
sacrificed his life, Kavaratti and Cellular Jail, Port Blair. These rallies reached Chennai and
took part in the final rally on 11 Aug 1998 .
9 Sky DEVILS – Parachute jumpers dived from the helicopter at an altitude of 8000 ft. and
landed exactly at the venue of the function.
PHOTOS)
6. SALANGAI NATHAM – an annual event of dance, drama and music was started in 1999 in
the Palace Ground of Thanjavur.
PHOTOS
This festival was simultaneously held in Kumbakonam and Pattukottai. In Feb. 2000, this
popular festival was held for 3 days in Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Manora.
PHOTOS of MANORA FESTIVAL
It attracted lot of people from the rural and urban areas in thanjavur dist. In fact, there are
demands for the conduct of this festival in various other towns of thanjauvr, Nagapptinam,
and Thiruvarur districts.
7. INVOLVEMENT OF NGOs, NHRU YUVAK KENDRAS, N.S.S. VOLUNTEERS
We realized that by running programmes all by ourselves in different parts of the zone, we could not attract more number of people. We were also constrained by shortage of staff. It was, therefore, felt fit to involve N.G.Os and volunteers of Nehru Yuvak Kendras (of the Ministry of Youth and sports) and local NSS, who are keen in the promotion of, aft and culture. By this, we could run successful programmes even in remote areas. They not only helped us in running the programmes even in remote areas. They not only helped us in running the programmes but also helped us to make us and our porgrammes known to the people.
8. FORUM OF FRIENDS OF SZCC
When I joined the Centre in July 1995, I suggested that SZCC could constitute a non-formal Club of Connoisseurs of Art & Culture, consisting of local intellectuals, industrialists, lovers of art and culture, philanthropists and the like. We could draw upon their resources and expertise and with their active cooperation achieve our avowed aim of promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of our country. Initially, officials of the Dept. of Culture laughed at this idea.
That was why “Frum of Friends of SZCC” was constituted at Thanjavur initially with 30 people. Even though the locals had initial reservation, they started realizing the importance of such a non Governmental set up and came forward in large numbers to become members of the forum. Many of them attend our meetings and involve themselves in our programmes held at the Head quarters. In order make ourselves well known amongst not only among the locals but also among the public men of Thanjavur district and the neighbouring districts invitations were sent out to more than 500 people. To our surprise, large number of intellectuals, artistes, lovers of art and culture, representatives of non-governmental organizations. Govt. officials, Professors and Principals of colleges and schools turned up at the meeting held in our campus recently.
PHOTS OF FORUM OF FRIENDS
In fact sizable number of them turned up when Her Excellency the Governor and Chairperson of the Centre visited the complex which is nearing completion.
PHOTOS
9.CULTURAL COMPLEX- THE 2ND LAND MARK NEXT TO BIG TEMPLE,THANJAVUR
When I took over, we were in occupation of 25 acres of land in Nilagiri Therku Thottam village, Thanjavur on a 99 year lease. Special steps were taken to get the above extent of land free of cost. The land was assigned to us free of cost in 1996. As we have been in occupation of asbestos roofed building (earlier used as dormitories for life-convicts of open-air jail, Thanjavur). In the mean time, we were under tremendous pressure from the Constituent states to shift the headquarters of SZCC to Cochin Mysore Host
PHOTOS
We commenced the construction on 3 February 2000 and we completed the complex by 7 December, 2000 .
PHOTOS
We had about 500 paintings collected since the inception of the Centre including 39 number of paintings gifted by artistes of South India (in response to my special appeal ). As advised by the Luminaire Engineers of Philips India Ltd., we arranged for sealing of all the windows and ventilators in the Art Gallery & Exhibition Hall. They went in for special tract – lighting which not only has enhance the beauty of the paintings but also cause less damage when compared to the existing ordinary lights.
The paintings in our possession have been categorized by our Consultant Sirpi M.jayaraman (who is a renowned painter and sculptor from Pondicherry ) into 7 displays (DISPLAY I to DISPLAY VII). Each Display consists of roughly 65 paintings.
ART GALLERY-PHOTO
Felicitation of Sirpi Jayaraman
In consultation with the Sirpi M. Jayaraman, the bigger sculptures that we have got as gifts and the ones that we were in possession of were erected in the complex.
4.(DAZZLING CLIMAX ON THE MARINA
To mark the end of the year long Golden Jubilee celebrations, we organised a 3 day festival on the sands of marina.Why did we choose Cellur Jail for back drop?-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The inaugural function-the photos
the cultural performances began with a melodious vocal recital by K. J Yesndoss, whose four lilting songs had the audience in thrall. No sooner had the audience recovered, they were surprised by an agile and energetic Bengali dance drama.
The evening highlight came in the form of a play on the cellular jail by the song and drama Division of Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry. The multi hued lights which alternatively mellowed and dazzled gave an eerie, but stunning effect to show how the prison came to be known as “Kaala Paani”; it detailed the unspeakable cruelties freedom fighters like veer Savarkar underwent at the hands of British rulers.
Another play was on viswanatha Dass, a veteran actor, who used the staged for the freedom movement, through patriotic plays and songs.
Yet another pleasant performance came from bands of school children, who sang patriotic sons in different languages, standing atop the five stages. In between the audience was treated to a poetry recital in Tamil, Telgu and Malayalam. A stimulating presentation of percussion instruments and accompanying dances of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, kerala and Andhra Pradesh by colourfully dressed performers, swept the audience off their feet.
Just when the crowds started to relax, came another explosive martial art display by Manipuri performers, who used real swords in a dance replicating duels. The ferocity and alacrity shown by the artists, left one wondering whether they were mocking a duel or really trying to hurt each other.
A folk song recital by the popular singer Mr. Pushpavanam Kuppuswamy and violin performace by maestro Karnkkudi Vaidyanathan, arrested the crowd from melting away into the night. This was followed by the tendering of a few more patriotic songs turned by M. S. Viswanathan. The show ended just after midnight with spectacular display of fireworks.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi in recalling the supreme sacrifices made by the freedom fighters and exhorted the younger generation to strive to realize the dream of the martyrs to see a strong and vibrant India
A SENSATION ON THE SANDS OF MARINA a 3 dimensional jail at Seerani Arangam, Cheannai as the back-drop. Measured 304’x40’ and weathered lashing rains and breezy winds for 40 days.
Why did you choose Cellular Jail for the backdrop of your programme to celebrate the Golden Jubliee? Was the question that few individuals raised. The answer is very simple while we rejoice on this occasion, we should recall with reverence the invaluable services rendered by those who laid their lives and those who lost their near and dear ones at the altar of freedom. Particularly, the younger generation secure freedom the clutches of the British and what were the sacrifices made to bequeath them a free India
In her inaugural address the Governor said “no society can survive without poetry. It lends vigour and energy.” Stating that the freedom struggle was fired by the works of some of the poets, she recalled the commending south Zone Cultural Centre for organizing the ‘Poets Meet’, she said the centre has contributed largely to the promotion of national integration through emotional integration.
Presiding over the function dr. M. Thamizh Kudimagan, Minister for Tamil Development, Culture and Religious Endowment called for the preservation of the spirit of freedom movement. Many a freedom fighter still remains unnoticed and unsung, he pointed out.
More than 330 freedom fighters-three from South India he recalled, were lodged at cellular jain in Andaman Island
The Red Fort is symbol of India
The days programmes started with a massive FREEDOM RUN in which 50,000 school and college students, personnel from the three Services, Olympians and theathers participated. This run was flagged off by the Hon’ble Minister for Education Prof. K. Anbazhahagan from the war Memorial. Shri M. K. Stalin MLA & Mayor of chennai Leading the Run flanked by Olympian smt. Shiny Wilson
About 1100 school children drawn from 22 schools of Chennai sang in Chorus (from the centre stage) 9 selected patriotic songs 5 of evolutionary poet Mahakavi Bharathi, 3 of Namakkal Kavignar and 1 of Desika Vinayangam Pilai set to music by the veteran music director M.S. Viswanathan. Mr. Viswanathan said that he had set simple but melodious music so as to fit the students who might not have stood before a mike earlier. The performance of the students was excellent and beyond expectations, he said.
Three thousand school children presented various folk and classical dance forms to the tune of the songs sung in chorus.
After the children’s programmes, the National Theatre of the veteran actor and dramatist Shri R. S. Manohar presented 7 skits on the most crucial events in the lives of freedom fighters like Sundaralinganar, Marudu Pandiar, Veera Pandya Kattabomman, V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, Vanchinathan, Thiruppur Kumaran and Sardar Vedarathinam Pilai because present generation does not know much about their scarifies at the altar of freedom movement. About 30 artistes took part in the skits. Penned by K.P. Arivaanandam and directed by r. S. Manohar.
At the end of the function, there was a spectacular fire works from the mid sea )
10. Governor inaugurages sculpture garden
Thanjavur Feb. 11 :
Half a dozen sculptures – a 12 foot metal figure depicting the folk aret karagattam designed by Vidya Shankar Sthapathi, a 15 foot wood carving by Kanniyappan Sthapathi of Chennai, a Krishna statue by Jayaraman of Pondicherry a mridangam artiste by Gopal, Principal, Kumbakonam Arts College, musical instruments by Karunamurthy of Chennai and a giant tree symbolizing growth and prosperity – have been installed in the sculpture garden. ‘A Rajiv Idea: Zonal cultural centers, the brain child of late prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, were established at Thankjavur, Udaipur Allahabad Nagpur Calcutta
The new cultural Complex has four entrances. Each entrance has a set of carved teakwood doors reflecting the cultural heritage of the member states of South Zone Cultural Centre. Renowned woodcraftsmen from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala were invited to Thanjavur to get the doors carved.
The Copper Garden Copper Garden
The Central Mandapam , the unique facility on the campus for promotion of activities, serves as a stage for the invited artistes to perform. The Mandapam can accommodate 500 invitees to be seated at a time in the corridor.
Musical Steps
The steps at the main entrance to the complex have been provided with light sensors which stimulate an electronic equipment to emit the sound of the seven swaras Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni. The system is designed and executed by the Shanmuga Arts Science Technology and Research Academy (SASTRA) Thirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur.
Copper Panels
The designing and production of the Copper Panels, depicting dance, music, theatre etc. of South India and fixing them on the pillars located inside the new building was carried out by Sirpi Kanniappan.
The Sculpture Garden
Statues of animals birds, dancers, village gods etc. adorn the terracotta garden. The retention of the finer features despite the size of the sculpture is indicative of the prowess of the traditional craftsmen.
Evolution Theory
The modern day version of the evolution theory is translated in to cment sculpture by Sirpi. Lakshmana Chitra from Pappanadu, Thanjavur. The life like images of the ancestors of the modern man brings before us the confluence of two ages.
Chin Mudras
The Chin Mudras made out of brass by Sirpi Rajan, Swami Malai, demonstrate the Abinaya of the dance movement of Bharathanatyam. The brass work is also an example of the fine workmanship of the Thanjavur artisans which has been carefully preserved and nurtured over generations.
