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Chennai, Nov 11 (IANS) Celebrating Tamil Nadu’s artistic heritage while providing welfare assistance to struggling artistes, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday distributed financial assistance of Rs 85 lakh to 525 artistes. At a function held at the Secretariat, CM Stalin presented Rs 1 lakh each to ten Kalai Mamani award winners, who are currently living in poverty. The aim of this initiative is to honor their artistic contributions while ensuring financial stability. Additionally, five Tamil writers were given Rs 2 lakh each to publish books that explore rare and meaningful aspects of Tamil art forms. The Chief Minister also distributed Rs 1.5 lakh each to five theater artistes and five dance artists for assistance in producing and staging new Tamil plays and dance dramas. In addition, 500 folk artistes received Rs 10,000 each to purchase musical instruments, costumes and jewelery – recognizing the continuing need to preserve and promote the traditional rural art forms of Tamil Nadu. Established in 1955 as the Tamil Nadu Music and Drama Society, the organization was renamed Tamil Nadu ‘Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram’ in 1973 to promote Tamil art, literature and drama. Mandram has been playing an important role in preserving and documenting endangered art forms, providing monthly stipends to needy artists and recognizing outstanding contributions to Tamil culture. The event was attended by Tamil Development and Information Minister MP Saminathan, Chief Secretary Shiva Das Meena, Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism, Culture and Charitable Endowments) Manivasan, and Mandram and Tamil Nadu Folk Artistes Welfare Board Chairman Vagai Chandrasekhar. Art and Culture Department Director Valarmathi and Member Secretary Vijay Thayanban were also present. Through this initiative, the State reaffirmed its commitment to not only honoring the artists of Tamil Nadu but also maintaining its living cultural traditions by providing direct and meaningful support to those who keep them alive. –IANS AL/SVN