‘Confer Bharat Ratna on Illayaraja’
‘Confer Bharat Ratna on Illayaraja’
The clamour for ‘Bharat Ratna’ is still continuing despite the Centre’s decision not to name anyone for the award this year, with Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Tirumavalavan demanding that the nation’s highest civilian award be confered on music maestro Ilayaraja.
The Dalit leader, an ally of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, said in a statement on Sunday that though many from the state, including Grand Master Viswanathan Anand and singers Sirkazhi Siva Chidambaram and P Susheela, had been chosen for Padma awards, it was strange that the world-renowned musician was not given any award. The Centre should confer ‘Bharat Ratna’ on Ilayaraja this year, he urged.
