Activities & Highlights
General Lectures
With a view to enabling the public to hear eminent personalities, the Academy periodically organised several important meetings featuring distinguished speakers from across the country and abroad. These individuals, whose views significantly influenced thought and action, addressed a wide range of issues affecting society and the nation as a whole. The programmes helped focus attention on critical social and national challenges, while the lively question-and-answer sessions that followed ensured meaningful interaction. It can truly be said that the audience benefited as much as the speakers from this enriching exchange of ideas.
Some Important Subjects covered by these functions are:
- Planning for prosperity
- Tensions of Economic Development
- Inflation
- Food problems
- Poverty and unemployment
- Union and State Budgets
- Foreign Aid
- Can we do without it?
- Challenge to Democracy
- Role of the Opposition
- Welfare State
- Democracy at crossroads
- Citizens and their responsibilities
- Requisites of good Government
- Language controversy
- National integration
- Centre–State Relations & Devaluation implications
- Legal / Judiciary
- Indian Constitution — A review
- Electoral Reforms
- Amendments to Hindu Law
- Fundamental Rights
- Role of a Governor
- Hindu Law & Society
- Supercession of Judges
- Second Chambers — are they necessary?
- Women’s rights in Modern Hindu Law
- General
- Is Gandhiji an Idealist?
- Role of intellectuals in Society
- Press and the Public
- Role of the Press
- Impact of films on Society
- Astrology and Daily life
- Astrology — science or superstition?
- Dowry — still a burning issue?
Fine Arts
Fine Arts, in its many diverse forms, found rich expression through the activities of the Academy. W
Music
The Academy took special interest in giving rasikas an opportunity to enjoy several rare features. Celebrations in memory of great composers were organised with participation from leading musicians, musicologists and connoisseurs. These programmes were more than concerts—they were a blend of performance and scholarship, both instructive and aesthetically enriching.
Few such special Programmes were:
Music Competitions
To encourage the study and practice of music along classical lines, the Academy organised competitions in the early years focusing on the kritis of Sri Thyagaraja and Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar. These competitions received an enthusiastic response and helped nurture young talent in Carnatic music.
Sanskrit Kavya on Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar
A memorable event in this series was the first public reading of a Sanskrit Kavya on the life of Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar, composed by Dr. V. Raghavan, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Academy. The work was presented by the author himself before a distinguished gathering of scholars.
Dance
The Academy also promoted classical and traditional dance forms through a series of lectures, performances, and demonstrations. Beginning with an exposition of folk dances by Sri E. Krishna Iyer in its very first year, the Academy continued to host diverse programmes showcasing both artistic excellence and cultural depth.
Dramas
With a view to encouraging the histrionic talents of its members, the Academy staged several dramas—social, historical, and mythological. These productions were successfully presented under the able guidance of Sri V. K. Parthasarathy Iyengar, one of the founder Vice-Presidents and a renowned figure of the stage in his time.
Conferment of Title: “Mellisai Mannar”
A special orchestral programme of light music was organised in 1963 as a fundraising initiative, featuring the legendary music director duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. The event was a grand success and brought together eminent personalities from the film and music world.
Lectures by Film Personalities
The Academy also organised special lecture programmes featuring leading personalities from the film industry. These sessions provided valuable insights into cinema and its influence on society, drawing participation from eminent actors, directors, and theatre personalities.
Religious Discourses
Deviating from routine and conventional formats, the Academy’s programmes on Religion and Philosophy stood on a higher intellectual plane. These discourses were conceived as thoughtful and enlightening engagements for a discerning audience.
Literature
Tamil and Sanskrit literature received due attention from the Academy through a series of analytical lectures and discussions on classical works. These programmes highlighted the richness, depth, and cultural significance of India’s literary heritage.
Memorial Functions
a. In Memory of Great Personalities
The Academy periodically organised commemorative functions honouring great personalities who contributed to cultural and spiritual development.
- Adi Sankara
- Ramanuja
- Madhvacharya
- Vedanta Desika
- Sadasiva Brahmendra
- Ramana Maharishi
- Aurobindo
- Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Swami Vivekananda
- Rabindranath Tagore
- Subramania Bharathi
- Srinivasa Ramanujan
- Kasturi Ranga Iyengar
- V. S. Srinivasa Sastri
- Kasturi Srinivasan
b. Portrait Gallery
A Portrait Gallery was established through the generosity of donors to honour eminent personalities.
- V. S. Srinivasa Sastri
- Dr. K. M. Munshi
- Dr. C. P. Ramaswamy Iyer
- Kasturi Ranga Iyengar
- Kasturi Srinivasan
- K. Santhanam
- R. S. Desikan
- Prof. M. Raghava Iyengar
- V. M. Gopalakrishnamachariar
c. Memorial Tablet – Srinivasa Ramanujan
A memorial tablet for the mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan was unveiled by Sri K. Santhanam in a function presided over by Sri C. Subramaniam. It was installed at his residence in Hanumantharayan Koil Street, Triplicane, where it continues to be preserved.
d. Memorial Lectures
Prof. M. Rangacharya Memorial Lectures were conducted under the joint auspices of his Memorial Trust and the Academy.
e. Book Releases
The Academy organised special events to introduce valuable publications to the public:
- • Sri Thyagaraja – Prof. P. Sambamoorthy
- • Music in Silappathikaram – Sri S. Ramanathan
- • Tiruvallikeni Keertanaigal – Sri Mayuram T. R. Viswanatha Sastrigal
- • Tiruvallikeni Perumal – Sri T. S. Rajagopala Iyengar
- • Ilakkiya Poompazhil – Sri R. Rangachari
- • Women in Vedas – Sri Agnihotram Ramanuja Tatachariar
- • Tirukannapuram Kalambakam – Sri T. S. Rajagopala Iyengar
Library
The Kasturi Srinivasan Library Functioning as a wing of the Academy for more than 43 years is developing into a leading institution. The reading room in the Library is also very Popular. Detalied report about the Library is given separately.
Study Circle
With a view to provide opportunities to the members to develop the art of clear expression and also to cultivate a dispassionate and informed approach to the problems of the day, a Study Circle was organised in the yearly years. Several youngsters aspiring to cackle the All India Services Examinations made best use of this opportunity as this helped them face with confidence the Viva-Voce test, the passing of which was the decisive one in the final selection.
Lantern Lectures
Recognising that lectures supported by visual media enhance audience engagement and understanding, the Academy organised several illustrated lectures—commonly known as Lantern Lectures—during its early years.
Sports
Sports-related programmes organised by the Academy drew enthusiastic participation, particularly from cricket enthusiasts in Chennai. These sessions offered engaging insights and firsthand experiences from notable sporting events and personalities.
