The Tamil Development Department is observing a week-long ‘Tamil Week Festival’ to mark the 135th birth anniversary of poet Bharathidasan. The Minister for Tamil Development, Information & Publicity, M.P.Saminathan, addressed an event Apr.29 at the Mutthamizh Peravai, T.N. Rajarathinam Art Hall, Adyar, and distributed certificates and medals to winners of social media competitions held under the theme ‘Senthamizh Naatu Thamizhachiye’.
The minister acknowledged R.Balakrishnan’s, IAS, insights on the Tamil language and Bharathidasan and noted his recent appointment as head of the World Tamil Research Institute. He conveyed his delight at the students’ enthusiasm for Tamil, highlighting its resilience and announced that the second day of the celebration would be held at Bharathiyar’s residence in Triplicane.

He outlined key initiatives by the Tamil Development Department, including observation of ‘Veeravanamakkam Day’ (Jan.25) to honour Tamil language martyrs, ‘Tamil Literary Renaissance Day’ (Feb.17) for U.Ve. Swaminatha Iyer’s birth anniversary, and ‘International Mother Language Day’ (Feb.21). Upcoming events include ‘Classical Tamil Day’ (June 3), marking former Chief Minister Karunanidhi’s birth anniversary, with competitions for college students, and ‘Tamil Nadu Day’ on July 18, commemorating its declaration by former Chief Minister Annadurai.