Film world hopes for end to Lankan issue

(October 19, Rameshawaram, Sri Lanka Guardian) Over 2,000 members of the Tamil film fraternity today took out a mega rally in Rameswaram. The rally was organised to condemn the killing of Tamils in neighbouring Sri Lanka.

It was announced a few days ago by director Bharathiraja on behalf of several associations that all films-related work would be suspended between 18 and 20 October.

‘Tamil Ina Unarvu Kuzhu’ was formed comprising directors and producers for the rally.

A special train left from Chennai Egmore on Saturday. It was flagged off by veteran director K Balachander. Tamil Film Producers Council president Rama Narayanan, directors K Bhakiyaraj, Parthiban, Pandiarajan, Cheran, Santhana Bharathy among others took part in the rally.

The special train reached Rameswaram this morning. People gathered in large numbers at the railway station to give a rousing reception to the film personalities.

After offering prayers at the famous Ramanathaswamy temple at Rameswaram, the rally commenced. Slogans were raised condemning the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka during the rally. They also urged the Centre to take immediate action to prevent the massacre of Tamils.

A public meeting has been organised in Keezhakadu village later in the evening.Representatives from the South Indian Film Artistes Association, which is the apex body of Tamil film artists, were missing in the rally. The association is holding a fast in Chennai on 1 November for the same cause.

It may be recalled that the Nadigar Sangam had expressed its solidarity for the rally at Rameswaram. Its president Sarath Kumar had announced that they would not be boycotting the rally.

‘Those who can make it are welcome to go ahead. But there are lot of practical difficulties in the matter.’Earlier speaking to mediapersons at Rameswaram railway station, Bharathiraja said, ‘it is an opportunity for us to show to express our support for the cause of suffering Tamils.

Those who have sympathy for Tamils have gathered for the rally’.The coming together of the Tamil film industry would attract the attention of everyone. ‘We are confident that a hopeful solution will be found soon’, he added. - Sri Lanka Guardian