In a heartwarming tribute to two of Tamil Nadu’s most revered folk artists, Padma Shri awardees Kannappa Sambandan (Koothu Aasaan) and Velu Aasan (Parai Isai Aasaan) were felicitated at a special event held in Chennai. The celebration was jointly organised by the Bharata Ilango Foundation for Asian Culture (BIFAC), Koothu-P-Pattarai Trust, and Dr MGR Janaki College for Women.

The evening drew an impressive gathering of distinguished guests from the fields of art, academia, and public service. Among those in attendance were Hemanathan, Deputy Director, State Department of Art & Culture; former IAS officer and filmmaker Gnana Rajasekaran; cultural activist V.R. Devika, Managing Trustee of Aseema Trust; and K.R. Rajaravivarma, Associate Professor of Performing Arts at Pondicherry University. The function was presided over by V. Sriram, former President of Alliance Française de Madras.

Bharatanatyam exponent and Managing Trustee of BIFAC Padma Subrahmanyam, hosted the event and underscored the enduring power of Tamil folk traditions in carrying the stories of Indian epics across geographies. She also announced plans for a state-level Koothu conference in partnership with Koothu-P-Pattarai, aimed at furthering the reach and recognition of these ancient performance traditions.

Reflecting on his five-decade journey in Therukoothu,  Sambandan shared vivid memories of his early years, which he still recalls with clarity and emotion. Velu Aasan, speaking with quiet pride, noted the hardships and setbacks he had faced in his artistic journey. The event concluded with a powerful Therukoothu performance titled Vali Moksham, presented by Kannappa Sambandan’s troupe, offering the audience a stirring glimpse into the richness of Tamil Nadu’s vibrant folk theatre.