MADURAI, AUG. 3. Tamil music flourished under the patronage of Raja Muthiah Chettiar and his father Raja Annamalai Chettiar, said N. Mahalingam, Chairman, Sakthi group of companies, here today.

Presiding over the third-day Raja Muthiah Chettiar centennial celebrations at the Raja Muthiah Mandram here, he said if Tamil music was heard in the length and breadth of the country, it was because of the efforts of Raja Muthiah and his father.

They established the Tamil Isai Sangam in Chennai and Madurai to spread the spirit of Tamil music, he said and added that similar sangams should be established in other centres also to benefit music lovers.

"Raja Annamalai sowed the seed and his son watered the plant, which had now grown into a full-fledged tree, fruits of which are now enjoyed by everyone," said Mr. Mahalingam.

Reminiscing their service to society, he said that their diehard attitude in other fields also reaped rich dividends. It was Raja Muthiah, who established many departmentsin the Annamalai University.

To mark the occasion, a `porkizhi' (purse) was presented to `Thenkatchi' K. Swaminathan, popular speaker, for his contribution to the growth of Tamil. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Swaminathan remembered the prize he received from Mr. Mahalingam 40 years ago as a student of Agricultural College in Coimbatore.

Sekkappa Chettiar, Managing Trustee, Tamil Isai Sangam, welcomed the gathering.

Earlier, Mr. Mahalingam inaugurated the centennial memorial hall. As part of the centennial celebrations, the Tamil Isai Sangam and the Apollo Speciality Hospitals organised a free medical camp.