Our community, which once lived in a controlled manner, is no longer so today. Concern for the community is also diminishing. Only a few are working with dedication and care to restore our community, stated the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
The artist appreciation and film audio release event, jointly organized by Switzerland Relations and Niththilam Art Gallery, was held on Wednesday evening – 05th November 2025, at the Muhamalai Sivapuram complex under the chairmanship of senior attorney Somasundaram Devaraja.
At this event, the Governor inaugurated the official website of the Eelam Tamil Artists Union and released the film audio album Makarantham’. He also honored the artists who worked on the film Thoovanam and the Eelam Tamil Union artists.
In his chief guest address, the Governor stated the following: “I am participating in a unique event after a very long time. I have known Dr. Sivansuthan for a long time as someone deeply concerned about the direction of our community and driven to do something to change it.
Everyone knows how our community lived in an orderly manner. I don’t know whether external factors have altered it or whether our community itself has changed. How we were then, and how we are now.
Dr. Sivansuthan’s effort to restore the community through art is commendable. Uniting artists from all Tamil-inhabited regions—North, East, and Up-Country—is a significant achievement. Our community rarely appreciates its own talents. Nevertheless, the initiative taken by individuals like Dr. Sivansuthan to recognize our artists is exemplary.
Nowadays, even to do good, everyone overthinks. Many find faults even in good deeds. But when it comes to wrongdoings, no one points them out, nor do they call them wrong. It seems even critics have changed. Regardless, the role artists play in guiding our community is highly responsible. I wish them success in fulfilling it well,” said the Governor.
The event was also attended by Mr. S. Raguram, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Jaffna, and Mr. S. Paramanantham, former Dean of the National College of Education, Jaffna, as special guests.
