Tamil Isai Sangam is a music association started to promote pure form of ancient Tamil music popularly known as the Tamil Isai throughout Tamil Nadu. The current president of the association is Judge P.R.Gopalakrishnan.[1] The main premises are located in Chennai city.[1]
It was founded in 1943 by Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar, designed to promote Tamil music. [2] Since the 1940s, the association has supported a college, the Tamil Isai Sangam College, for the instruction of Tamil music. [3]
Every month, the association has hosted a musical festival promoting the understnading of Tamil music. [1] The association has heavily attempted to increase aware of pure Tamil Music(Tamil Isai), that have been declining in popularity in modern India. [4] During the music festival, Tamil Isai Sangam rewards prominent classical artists for their craft. [4] The 11th President of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, once sung at the festival with a song he composed himself, to the surprise of the media. [5] As the festival is popular in India, Kalam later explained he was using it as a venue promote the inclusion of music in the school curriculum. [5]