Tamil Actors Fasting Against Killing of Srilankan Tamils
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The day-long fast by Nadigar Sangam to protest the killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka was ex[pectedly muted with film artistes, known for their emotional outbursts on such fora, choosing to tone down their rhetoric.
The protest saw the participation of almost all the top artistes including Rajnikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith, Vijay, Vikram, Suriya, Vadivelu, Vivek, Vishal, Nayanthara, Trisha, Sneha, among others. |
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With Nadigar Sangam president Sarath Kumar sounding a stern word of caution to his colleagues yesterday to ensure that they don’t say anything against the law of the land or hurt the sentiments of any individual or group, the members merely chose to express their sympathy for Tamils.
As soon as the fast commenced at 8 am, Radharavi, secretary, South Indian Film Artistes Association, requested the artistes to speak ‘less’ to avoid any trouble, and instead contribute more for the Lankan Relief Fund. At the grand dais erected at the Nadigar Sangam premises, artistes gathered one after another. The arrest of directors Ameer and Seeman on charges of sedition for making pro-LTTE speeches at a protest organised for the same cause in Rameswaram on 19 October still at the back of their minds, the speakers chose their words very carefully while many read out from prepared texts. However actor-cum-politician Vijayakanth proved to be an exception. He took a dig at the State and Central governments for not taking efforts to arrive at a political solution for the struggle in Sri Lanka. Urging Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse to stop the attacks on the Tamils, Vijayakanth said ‘it is a sensitive issue and we are forced to react.’ There were some moments of anxiety too at the meeting when a section of actors chose to settle scores with directors and producers, who poured angry words at them at the Rameswaram rally. In a speech that stood for practicality and sensibility, actor and MLA S Ve Shekher talked of disarming the LTTE too. Thanking all those who contributed generously for the Lankan Relief Fund, Shekher said, ‘we hope that our peaceful and silent show of support for the sufferings Tamils will have a positive effect’. In his speech Parthiban wondered how the contributions made for the relief of Tamils would reach them. He urged the government to appoint a committe to ensure it. The fast saw members of various other film associations including FEFSI, Tamil Film Exhibitors Association, Make-up Union and Stunt Union taking part in large numbers. However the likes of director Bharathiraja and Tamil Film Producers Council president did not turn up untill afternoon. A fast has been organised by FEFSI near Valluvar Kottam on 5 November and the members of the Nadigar Sangam were urged to participate in it. |
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:11 am
I was very happy to see a large gathering of actors and actresses participating in the fast for the sake of the tamils suffering in Sri Lanka in spite of their busy schedule and I was thoroughly impressed by the speech given by the Superstar, and the generous contribution given by him towards the Lankan Relief Fund.Please ensure that the monies collected will go direct to the tamils suffering without food and lodging and not go through the Sri Lankan Government as the Government will definitely use the money to buy arms to kills the tamils further.
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Hats off to the great person our superstar for his humanity.
Great timely contribution.God bless his family and our superstar.
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:11 am
fasting rallys its ok.pls do the best to save our people.