Chennai: While addressing the inaugural of the 80th annual Tamil music festival of the renowned Tamil Isai Sangam on Wednesday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said, reiterating the policy of the state government, that no language would be acceptable if it was imposed, but people are free to learn as many languages as possible according to their will.
"If a person so desires, he or she may learn as many languages. However, if it is imposed we will not accept anything (any language). That is our language policy," Stalin said.
He added that language is the ‘blood flow’ of a race and if it is destroyed by any means, would be the end of the race. According to him, the government’s policy to oppose the dominance of other languages over Tamil doesn’t mean ‘hatred’ towards other languages.
Remembering Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar, who founded the Tamil Isai Sangam in 1943, Stalin pointed out his efforts during the pre-independence era to popularise the Tamil music which was completely side-lined from the mainstream.
“Chettiar is the raja of Tamil. He prevented the onslaught of other languages on Tamil and his family continues to carry on the service with dedication,” Stalin said.
He said that the stellar work of the Sangam should be continued for years and pointed out the need for many more institutions fully dedicated to Tamil music as such.
At the event, Singer S Sowmya received the Isai Perarignar (Great scholar in music) award and Mayilai B Sargurunathan Odhuvar the 'Pann Isai Perarignar' (Renowned scholar in Shaivite Tamil hymns) award.