Though unreserved in sabhas, Neelam is a cultural center and is ignored; Director Pa. said that no matter how much effort was made to conduct the public music program in Margazhi at the Kalaiwanar Arena this year, it did not happen. Ranjith said.
Director Pa. Ranjith’s Neelam Cultural Center continues to operate on the art platform as an initiative for social change. Last year, a musical performance by an art group called “The Castleless Collective” formed by Neelam Cultural Center became the talk of the town.
In this case, the Neelam Cultural Center is organizing a folk performance in Margazhi at a private school in Sethupattu. On the first day of the three-day event, a music festival titled ‘Gramiya Musi’ was held. Director B. Ranjith, music composer GV Prakash Kumar and others participated in the program. Buddha Art Group, musical performance by Ilayaraja Mariammal group, tribal people’s musical performance etc. were held today.
Speaking to the new generation, director Pa. Ranjith said that if the event is organized by the Neelam Cultural Centre, they refuse to give permission in the Sabhas. Pressure is on to perform. Private councils behave this way, so do government officials. No matter how much effort was made to organize the Margazhi People’s Concert at the Kalaiwanar Arena this year, there was no proper response as the venue was not booked. Permission to book government theaters was also not available. He said that he did not get the right answer. He also said that due to the extended days, the event had to be held in other arenas.
