'Kalaignar' honours artistes with state govt awards

Chennai, Oct 16 (UNI) The evening was 'special' again, not just for the artistes concerned but also for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who is at his nostalgic best during the moments he spends in the midst of film fraternity, whether giving away awards for best performers or addressing the filmfolks' grievances.

At the University Centennary auditorium here today, in the presence of the chief guest Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, who presided over the glittering function marked by cultural programmes, the Chief Minister, who is also an adept script, dialogue and lyric writer, presented the Best Actor awards, to superstars spanning the last two generations, contemporaries Kamal Hassan and Rajnikant, Vijay, Surya, Vikram and Ajit, popular comedians Vivek and Vadivelu, and heroines Jyothika and Kalairani. Ajit was honoured with the prestigeous MGR award and Vikram, a recent national award winner, with Sivaji Ganesan award.

The popular director Shankar who had made hits like ''Indian'', ''Anniyan'' and the latest Rajni hit ''Sivaji'', was chosen as the Best Director for ''Anniyan.

The other prominent awardees, for the years 2005 and 2006, included actor-producer Prabhu, whose ''Chandramukhi''- the remake of a Malayalam hit, and the makers of some sensitive films which had also won accolades abroad. The films were ''Veyil'', which was also screened in the Cannes festival,''Paruthi Veeran'', which won an award in a festival in Canada, ''Thiruttu Payale'' and ''Ilakkanam''. Well known stage actor Pasupathi was honoured with the Best Villain award.

The Chief Minister also presented awards for other categories like Best Lyricist, Best Character actor and actress, Best story writer, Best music director, Best playback singer, Best photography, and Best art director.

UNI