After Padma snub, Jaya says one day Centre will listen

Upset with the Centre for ignoring her recommendations suggesting the names of veteran music director duo for Padma awards last year, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said the time would come when the Centre would pay heed to her words — comments that many interpret as an indication of her manoeuvres to become an influential figure in national politics.

Music director duo M S Viswanathan and T K Ramamurthi, who have composed for about 700 films, were recommended for the national honours by Jaya last year. But the list of seven persons from Tamil Nadu who were conferred the title, including three for their contributions to arts, did not include MSV and Ramamurthi.

"Though MSV and Ramamurthi have been bestowed with many honours, it is sad that they were not considered for national honours like the Padma awards. I had recommended their names to the Centre for Padma awards last year. However, the Centre, which seems to be against Tamil Nadu government, did not pay heed. A time will come when these awards will be conferred based on my recommendations. At that time, these two masters would receive Padma awards," said Jaya at a function on Wednesday where the two were honoured.

Jaya recalled how she was influenced by the music by the two. "I grew up listening to the music of these veterans. Their music has become part of my very existence," she said.

During the function organised by Jaya TV to mark its 14th anniversary, MS Viswanathan was bestowed with the title "Thirai Isai Chakravarthy" (emperor of film music). Both were gifted 60 gold coins each during the function, attended by notable figures of Tamil cinema.

According to political observers, Jaya is eyeing a role similar to that played by DMK president M Karunanidhi during the UPA-I rule when his party successfully bargained for favours from the Union government, besides ministerial berths.

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