Tamil Nadu government to allocate land to set up school to promote traditional folk art forms: CM Stalin

The Tamil Nadu government will allocate land to set up a training school to promote traditional folk art forms at Valayangulam village in Thiruparankundram taluk of Madurai district, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced on Friday (December 28, 2025).

Tamil Nadu Dr. in Chennai Addressing the third convocation ceremony of J. Jayalalithaa University of Music and Fine Arts, Mr. Stalin said that he had accepted the demand of Parai artist and Padma Shri recipient R. Velmurugan and the land would be allocated.

Mr Stalin also officially The Rector of the University said that a new postgraduate program will be launched between 2026-27, which will help students improve their skills and therefore increase their income. The Prime Minister also announced that the aid given to the university will be increased from ₹3 crore to ₹5 crore.

The Prime Minister announced that the ‘Naan Mudhalvan’ skill development program will be expanded to benefit music and fine arts students. Mr Stalin said the program would help them improve their spoken English and digital skills. He tried to address students’ concerns by touching on the developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“Many people are producing portraits and composing songs with artificial intelligence. Don’t worry that this will reduce your opportunities. Advances in technology cannot defeat human thinking. We must use technology to our advantage,” Mr. Stalin said.

Mr. Stalin said the following in his speech: “In my opinion, we do not discriminate against this university that bears our name. [late AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister] Ammaiyar Jayalalithaa. We did not boycott this meeting ceremony. In fact, we have only developed this university since 2021.”

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin confers honorary doctorate degree on Tamil film actor Sivakumar in Chennai on November 28, 2025 | Photo Credit: X/@TNDIPRNEWS

“This is the political respect I intend to cultivate. Even though it has been missing for a while, I wish it was there.” [political dignity] “It will continue in the future,” said Mr. Stalin, listing his favorite singers and musicians and said: “If someone recommends a good movie, I watch it and congratulate those who make it. Because it is the duty of a good government to protect art and good artists.”

Mr. Stalin also conferred honorary doctorates on film actor Sivakumar and artist Chandru and said he was proud to confer honorary doctorates on them.