Explained | Nadigar Sangam Elections in Tamil Nadu

Vishal’s Pandavar Ani goes against K Bhagyaraj-led Swami Sankaradas Ani this time

June 22, 2019 06:19 pm | Updated June 23, 2019 01:29 pm IST - Chennai

Members of the ‘Pandavar Ani’ celebrate the election results after winning South Indian Film Artistes Association election in Chennai on October 19, 2015

Members of the ‘Pandavar Ani’ celebrate the election results after winning South Indian Film Artistes Association election in Chennai on October 19, 2015

Kollywood is split into two factions, as the election to South Indian Artists Association, popularly known as Nadigar Sangam, is set to be held this Sunday (June 23) at St.Ebas Higher Secondary School in Mylapore. It is the same place where the Nadigar Sangam elections were held in 2015. Initially the elections were cancelled after the District Registrar of Societies had expressed doubts over the electoral rolls. But later the High Court stayed the order passed by the Registrar of Societies and cleared the decks for June 23 elections. The judge, however, directed that the results of the elections should not be declared till further orders.

In pictures | Nadigar Sangam elections: a star-studded affair

Over the years, the post of Nadigar Sangam chief has become crucial and powerful in the State. It’s an open secret that the ones elected to lead Nadigar Sangam have considerable control over Kollywood, and could also rub shoulders with politicians. All stars have either payment or call sheet issues with producers or financiers at some time in their career and the Nadigar Sangam sorts it out. Kollywood is split down the middle as elections day approach.

The backstory

The Nadigar Sangam election is supposed to be held once in three years. But it was last held in 2015, when Vishal and his Pandavar Ani defeated the then incumbent Sarathkumar . Pandavar Ani was given an extension since the last election. Now, retired Justice E Padmanabhan would be the Election Commissioner for the upcoming Nadigar Sangam election. This time, though, the election will see Vishal’s Pandavar Ani against a quickly put up opposition under veteran filmmaker-actor K Bhagyaraj-led Swami Sankaradas Ani. The key contest is between Vishal and Ishri Ganesh, who, once was the former’s close associate for the general secretary post. Bhagyaraj is contesting for the president’s post against incumbent Nasser, while Karthi and Prasanth are locked in a battle for the treasurer’s post.

Veteran actor and film-maker K. Bhagyaraj and Producer and educationalist Ishari K. Ganesh-led factions ‘Swamy Sankaradas Ani’

Veteran actor and film-maker K. Bhagyaraj and Producer and educationalist Ishari K. Ganesh-led factions ‘Swamy Sankaradas Ani’

The crux of the Nadigar Sangam elections revolves around the association’s own building coming up at a prime location in Chennai. Vishal’s Pandavar Ani levelled allegations against Sarathkumar and Radha Ravi for irregularities around the construction of the Sangam’s building, and it paid off. Pandavar Ani came to power in 2015. Four years on, Vishal is yet to complete the construction work and landed himself in fresh controversies in the run-up to Nadigar Sangam’s election. Vishal’s close confidants like Ishri Ganesh and actor Udhaya have turned against him and are in the opposition camp. The fight turned bitter when Vishal dragged Sarathkumar’s name and shamed him on Twitter, prompting daughter Varalaxmi Sarathkumar to hit back. In a long note that has since gone viral , Varalaxmi said, “Dear Vishal you have lost my vote.”

Game of Thrones

Both Pandavar Ani and Swani Sankaradas Ani are making slanderous and objectionable remarks against each other as they try to woo the 3,000-odd voters. Out of this, 1,500 votes belong to drama artists and technicians. The exact number is still being tabulated as some of the drama artists have died and the validity of other voters is still being sorted out. Both camps are using all the tricks in the book to get the crucial ‘drama artists’ votes spread across the State. The Madras High Court suggested that the Nadigar Sangam choose an alternative venue to MGR Janaki College. The prosecutor had informed the court that police protection may not be a feasible at that venue since it’s VVIP area and it will be a hindrance to the public. The Pandavar Ani cried foul, saying that it was a deliberate act, considering the police made excellent arrangements for the 2015 election when Jayalalithaa was the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, the winning team of this election has an uphill task — to complete the unfinished building, which would require at least ₹15-20 crore. How long will they raise funds from star nights and other events at a time when they have already run out of money? What’s clear, though, is that the next Nadigar Sangam chief will have to wear a crown of thorns, as the voice of dissent is going to get shriller.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.