CM increases monthly allowance for economically weak artistes by Rs 1,000

While speaking at the event, Palaniswami said, “14,063 economically weaker artistes benefit from the monthly financial assistance scheme. Based on their demands, the financial assistance has been increased from Rs 2000 to Rs 3,000.”

He also announced an increase the weight of the gold medal, given to the awardees, from 3 sovereigns to 5 sovereigns and to institute three more Kalaimamani Awards in the name of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

The Chief Minister said that his predecessors MG Ramachandran, and Jayalalithaa were patrons of art and had initiated various welfare schemes for them. “Jayalalithaa was the first person to institute Tamil Culture Department in 1991 for the welfare of the artistes. Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nadaga Mandram, fore the welfare of the artistes, is doing well in the state,” Palaniswami said.

He added that 63 groups of artistes from Tamil Nadu have gone to other states to perform and 1,972 young artistes have benefitted through the inter-state exchange of artistes programme.

Speaking about the Kalaimamani awards, Chief Minister said that this year 201 artistes under 72 different fields are given Kalaimamani awards and so far 1,594 artistes have received Kalaimamani awards in the state.