Sanskrit song at IIT Madras

Chennai: Rendering of a Sanskrit invocation song at an event attended by two Union ministers at the IIT Madras on Monday triggered a controversy with some Opposition parties questioning why the Tamil anthem was not sung. Maha Ganapathim Manasa Smarami was sung at the start of the foundation stone laying ceremony of National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts, to be set up along with IIT Madras.

Chennai, Feb. 26: Rendering of a Sanskrit invocation song at an event attended by two Union ministers at the IIT Madras on Monday triggered a controversy with some opposition parties questioning why the Tamil anthem was not sung.

Maha Ganapathim Manasa Smarami, penned by late composer Muthuswami Dikshithar was sung at the start of the foundation stone laying ceremony of National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts, to be set up along with IIT Madras.

Union minister of road transport and highways, shipping and water resources Nitin Gadkari and Union minister of state for shipping Pon Radhakrishnan participated at IIT-M function.

MDMK leader Vaiko alleged that the Centre was trying to impose Hindi and Sanskrit by various means.

As the controversy surfaced, IIT-Madras director Bhaskar Ramamoorthy, who was present at the event, clarified the institution does not issue any directions to students for a particular song to be sung.

Normally, the Tamil anthem Tamil Thaai Vazhthu (invocation song of mother Tamil) is played at the start and the National Anthem towards the end of government events.