The street opened today will stand not merely as a thoroughfare, but as a historical landmark reminding future generations of the dedication of a great artiste and the deep cultural bond between India and Sri Lanka, said Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan, Governor of the Northern Province.
The Governor further stated that he felt immense happiness and pride in honouring, in the very land where the artiste lived and served, a great artiste who united human hearts across borders through music.
The street naming ceremony and memorial event in remembrance of the late violin virtuoso Professor V. Lakshminarayana were held this morning – on Thursday, 23 July 2026, in front of the North Ceylon Oriental Music Society at Maruthanarmadam, Chunnakam. Following the street-opening event, further proceedings took place at the North Ceylon Oriental Music Society Hall.
Speaking at the event, the Governor further stated:
The person chiefly responsible for making this auspicious occasion possible was the Hon. Minister of Culture. Rather than treating the request submitted by the family of the musical maestro as an ordinary application, he brought it to my attention, recognising it as a moral duty owed to the great artiste who sowed the seeds of artistic development in Jaffna. On behalf of the people of the Northern Province, I express my gratitude for this noble quality and continued efforts of the Minister, who cherishes the arts and artistes. It is worth noting that the state government of Kerala, where Professor V. Lakshminarayana was born, has already opened a street in his name.
Although Professor V. Lakshminarayana was born in India, the golden years of his artistic journey were spent on this very soil of Jaffna. He did not live merely as a musician, but as a living university who shaped the lives of hundreds of students through music. During the period he served as a teacher and mentor at the North Ceylon Oriental Music Society, Carnatic music in Jaffna reached new dimensions, and he served as a bridge in building here a musical scholarship comparable to that of India.
It is a great honour for us that his son, the globally acclaimed violin virtuoso Padma Bhushan Dr. L. Subramaniam, is present among us today. His contribution to world music, working alongside numerous international artistes on a global scale, is immeasurable. His musical journey began right here in Jaffna, his childhood memories, his first music lessons, and his first public performance all bear witness to Jaffna. Despite reaching such heights of fame, his personal visit to this land where his father rendered his musical service reveals his roots and his humility.
True artistes never truly die. The seeds of music that Professor V. Lakshminarayana sowed in our soil have today grown into great trees, the Governor further stated in his address.
The event began with a welcome dance by students of Jaffna Ramanathan College. Mrs. Dharshnee, Deputy Director of the Northern Province Department of Cultural Affairs, delivered the welcome address, while Mrs. P. Premini, Divisional Secretary of Uduvil, delivered the introductory speech. A special dance performance by students of the Ramanathan Faculty of Fine Arts was also featured at the event. Addresses were also delivered by Hon. Minister of Culture Professor Hinidhuma Sunil Senevi, Consul General Sri Sai Murali of the Indian Consulate in Jaffna, and the Hon. Deputy Chairman of the Valikamam South Pradeshiya Sabha. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the special guest, the world-renowned musical maestro and son of the late professor, Subramaniam.
