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The Tamil Nadu Governor, P S Rama Mohan Rao, inaugurating the 29th arts festival of Karthik Fine Arts in Chennai on December 1, 2003, called for concerted steps to project the annual music and dance festival in Chennai as a major package to attract international tourists.
He said it appeared there was not enough awareness of the enormous tourism potential offered by the annual festival in December-January and therefore this situation was not fully exploited for tourism growth. The 70-odd sabhas in the city could get together to promote tourism through this festival, he said, adding that it was an ideal platform to project the country's rich heritage in the fields of culture, particularly music, dance and drama.
Referring to Chennai's unique position as a centre for Carnatic music and classical forms of dance, he said the city occupied a special position in the country's heritage and culture map. Its cultural legacy was something to be proud of and should be nourished and fostered, he added.
 He conferred the title of Isai Peroli on Gayathri Girish and Nadanamamani on Kavitha Ramu. The awards also carried a cash prize of Rs 15,000 each. The Governor's wife, Uma Rao, lit the traditional lamp. The Governor released KFA's Music Directory 2003 on the occasion. The first copy was received by KFA chairman L Sabaretnam. The festival was being held in association with the Indian Oil Corporation.
KFA president A V S Raja and N G Kannan, Director, Marketing, IOC, referred to the importance of the music festival and its contribution to the fields of classical music and dance.
(R Rangaraj)
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