Tamil Nadu government to allocate land to set up school to promote traditional folk art forms: CM Stalin

The Tamil Nadu government would allocate land to set up a training school for promoting traditional folk art forms at Valayangulam village in Thiruparankundram taluk of Madurai district, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced on Friday (December 28, 2025).

In his speech during the third convocation ceremony for the Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Music and Fine Arts University in Chennai, Mr. Stalin said he accepted the request by Parai artiste and Padma Shri recipient R. Velmurugan and said land would be allocated.

Mr. Stalin, who is also the ex-officio Chancellor of the university, said that a new postgraduate programme would be introduced from 2026-27 that would help students hone their skills and thereby boost their income. The Chief Minister also announced that the assistance granted to the university would be increased from ₹3 crore to ₹5 crore.

The ‘Naan Mudhalvan’ skill development programme would be expanded to benefit music and fine arts students, the Chief Minister announced. The programme would help them hone their spoken English and digital skills, Mr. Stalin said. Referring to advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), he sought to allay students’ apprehensions.

”Many are generating portraits and composing songs with AI. You should not worry that it would reduce your opportunities. Advancements in technology cannot defeat human thinking. We should use technology to our advantage,” Mr. Stalin said.

During his speech, Mr. Stalin said: “As far as I’m concerned, we do not discriminate against this university named after [late AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister] Ammaiyar Jayalalithaa. We have not boycotted this convocation ceremony. In fact, since 2021, we have only developed this university.”

“This is the political dignity I intend to instill. Though it was missing for some time, I wish that it [political dignity] continues in the future too,” Mr. Stalin said. Listing out his favorite singers and musicians, Mr. Stalin said: “If someone recommends good movies, I watch them and congratulate those who make it. Because it is the duty of a good government to protect art and good artists.”

Mr. Stalin also presented honorary doctorates to film actor Sivakumar and artiste Chandru and said he was proud to present honorary doctorates to them.