Latest news with #Kalaimamani
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
K-12 crusader bridges knowledge gap
If a schoolgirl from Cumbum can speak to a Harvard data science professor for career guidance,why can't the next innovator come from Dhanushkodi, not by accident but by intention and design, asks the acclaimed classical pianist and entrepreneur Anil Srinivasan, founder of Kruu, an edtech startup. The Kalaimamani awardee is known for his collaborations with renowned artists such as Sikkil Gurucharan, Aruna Sairam, Umayalpuram K Sivaraman, SPB and Chinmayi, and international musicians. And it came as no surprise, when more than a decade ago, he set aside the humdrum of rote learning, leaned on his background in performing arts and cognitive neuroscience to opt for a pedagogical approach involving learning through music. In 2013, he founded Rhapsody, a platform for imparting STEM education through music and visual arts using scientific methods. For instance, he has tried teaching children physics through songs, while playing the game 'pandi', a variant of hopscotch, popular in rural Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. A decade later, he started Kruu, a platform that encourages school students to take up educational projects with structured study material, curated worksheets and mentorship. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gentle Japanese hair growth method for men and women's scalp Hair's Rich Learn More Undo "The goal is to bridge the gap in access to knowledge. This model allows students to discover their inherent talent and work toward a career path. Professors from global universities help mentor the kids. Through these guided interventions, the students can assess their aptitude for specific disciplines, whether it's architecture, engineering, robotics, or VR-assisted medical education," he said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Srinivasan's experience with school children, B-school classrooms and education abroad, helped him understand the issues at the grassroot levels, and at the same time made it easy to connect with researchers, including professors from reputed institutions. Setting up the escalation matrix, with masterclasses from local college interns (tuition akkas/annas), pre-preparatory tutorials, ensuring the right incentives for stakeholders including parents and teachers are critical in turning the platform into a successful business. Kruu's primary customer base is made up of schools, and Srinivasan believes existing AI-based learning platforms cannot replicate the curated learning model. "With parents leaning towards experiential learning for children, and policy alignment with NEP, the platform has seen a high adoption rate. It is easily scalable and has lower customer acquisition cost since it is a B2B model," he says. He did not stop with KG and middle schoolers as professors and universities are also keen to partner with him on outreach programmes. Anil has other verticals to help college students with final year projects with credits, as well as teaching venture building and product development. Few corporations even used the platform to conduct hackathons to find the perfect candidates. Kruu has so far raised $1.25 million funding from friends and family with notable investors such Girish Mathrubootham and Mithun Sacheti. He says the startup is profitable and scaling fast. It targets a revenue of `17 cr ($1.9 mn) this fiscal and $60 million in five years. The startup is currently operational in 11 countries including Sri Lanka, Maldives, Africa and is expanding into the UAE, Philippines, Latin America.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
T.N. CM Stalin condoles death of Tamil scholar Sethuraman and industrialist Mohamed Hashim
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday (July 5, 2025) expressed condolences over the passing of Tamil scholar Perungkavikko V.M. Sethuraman. He also condoled the death of Janab Haji Malak Mohamed Hashim Sahib, chairman of K.H. Group and patron of the South India Tanners and Dealers Association. In his condolence message, Mr. Stalin said Mr. Sethuraman had devoted his entire life to the cause of the Tamil language. He also recalled the late scholar's literary contributions and his writings in Murasoli, the DMK's mouthpiece. Mr. Sethuraman was a recipient of several honours, including the Tamil Nadu government's Kalaimamani and Thiruvalluvar awards. His contributions would be remembered for as long as the Tamil language exists, the Chief Minister said. In a separate message, Mr. Stalin described Mr. Hashim as a pioneer of the leather tanning industry in the Ranipet region. He said Mr. Hashim provided employment to many and earned great respect within the Muslim community. The Chief Minister extended his condolences to the families of both Mr. Sethuraman and Mr. Hashim. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss also extended their condolences over the passing of Mr. Sethuraman.
New Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Poet Perungavikko Sethuraman no more
CHENNAI: Perungavikko V M Sethuraman, a well-known Tamil scholar and poet who has penned thousands of poems and authored many books, passed away on Friday. He was 89. Sethuraman is the founder of the International Tamil Integration Society. Taking to X, Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed deep sorrow over the demise, and recalled Sethuraman's poem that had appeared in the DMK organ 'Murasoli'. Stalin also recalled the words of former CM M Karunanidhi, who hailed Sethuraman as a scholar who dedicated his entire life to Tamil. The state government had honoured Sethuraman with Kalaimamani and Thiruvalluvar awards in the past. The CM said Sethuraman has penned over one lakh poems and numerous poetry collections.
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Folk singer, actor Kollangudi Karuppayee passes away at 99
Renowned folk singer and actor Kollangudi Karuppayee died at her home in Sivaganga district on Saturday morning. The Kalaimamani recipient was 99. She and her late husband Chellaiyya were agricultural workers. They had no children. She had one sister and three brothers, the grandchildren of whom had been taking care of her in her final years. It was in the 1980s that she made waves on stage, then State-run television, and eventually on the silver screen. With her long dresses twisted in a rustic knot and saree tied in the traditional pinkosavu way, her singing caught the attention of actor-director R. Pandiyarajan, who cast her in almost all of his films. 'In Aan Paavam, we had the role of a grandmother, and she suited it. I saw her on television and when I met her, she said she did not know acting and felt shy. I told her even I did not know acting, and she should just do as we told her to. She would say indha machine kumunnaadi nadika varala, meaning 'I can't act in front of the camera'. She couldn't say camera!,' Mr. Pandiyarajan said. When he was admitted to a hospital as the result of a car accident, some six months after the release of the film, Ms. Karuppayee, who had learned of the accident, visited him at the hospital. 'She stood outside my room for three days wailing and crying that her peraandi (grandson) was hurt and would not come inside. She used to address me as peraandi,' Mr. Pandiyarajan added. Marimuthu, her relative, said she had been ailing for the past few months. She stopped working in farms after she rose to fame and also due to old age, he added. Lenin Raja, another relative, who runs a music troupe named after her, said she had taught him to sing. 'We performed together for around 10 years,' he said proudly.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Artist Maruthi's works on show
Madurai: On the occasion of the second death anniversary of artist Maruthi, (Kalaimamani awardee), 87 of his paintings are being exhibited at Andril Art Gallery here for five days from Tuesday. Maruthi was renowned for his realistic illustrations, especially of female characters which accompanied stories, poetry and articles across newspapers and magazines. His drawings have appeared on the covers of novels by Jayakanthan, Sujatha and Balakumaran. Maruthi's area of specialization was water colour and oil paintings. Most of his paintings of women appeared on fortnightly Tamil magazines like Kumudam, Penmani, and Kanmani. "Maruthi's uniqueness lies in the colour of the eyes and skin of human beings in his paintings. He is a role model for today's young artists as he depicted the lives of ordinary people in his paintings," said artist Kondal Raj, founder of S S Manian Art Foundation. In memory of Maruti, more than 10 artists drew their thoughts and imaginations based on his work on Tuesday. The five-day exhibition is open to all.
