Tamil Nadu Timeline

CultureNational and Dravidian movements

Tamil Isai Movement and Tamil Isai Sangam

· Chennai

The Tamil Isai Sangam was founded in Madras to promote the singing of Tamil compositions in Carnatic concerts dominated by Telugu and Sanskrit songs.

The Tamil Isai Movement campaigned in the 1940s for a greater place for Tamil songs in Carnatic music concerts, which were then dominated by Telugu and Sanskrit compositions. Supporters included Raja Annamalai Chettiar and the writer Kalki Krishnamurthy. The Tamil Isai Sangam was established in Madras in 1943 and began holding an annual music festival. The movement was part of a broader assertion of Tamil cultural identity in the period.

Related events

  1. 1928

    1. 18 Aug 1928ChennaiCulture

      Madras Music Academy founded

      The Music Academy was founded in Madras following the 1927 Congress session and became a leading institution for Carnatic music.

  2. 1937

    1. 1937ChennaiCinema

      Chintamani runs for a year in a single theatre

      Starring M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Chintamani was the first Tamil film to stay a full year in one theatre.

  3. 1944

    1. 16 Oct 1944ChennaiCinema

      Haridas released

      Haridas, a Tamil film with M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar in the lead, played at one Madras theatre across three Diwalis in a row, a record that stood for years.

    2. 1 Jan 1944 to 30 Jun 1946ChennaiLiterature

      Kalki begins Sivagamiyin Sapatham

      Kalki Krishnamurthy began serialising Sivagamiyin Sapatham, a historical novel set in the Pallava period.

  4. 1949

    1. 1949ChennaiLiterature

      Subramania Bharati's works nationalised

      The Madras government nationalised the writings of poet Subramania Bharati, the first such step for any poet in India.

  5. 1970

    1. 11 Mar 1970ChennaiLanguage

      Invocation to Tamil Mother adopted for state functions

      Chief Minister Karunanidhi announced that verses of Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai's invocation to Tamil Mother would open state government functions.

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