The portal is part of the website of state Art and Culture department, www.artandculture.tn.gov.in, where details of artistes will be available on this page. The portal which has been a long pending appeal will provide easy connectivity to artistes and give exposure to fresh and unexplored areas. Public can book the artistes directly with the details available on the site or through the departments concerned for functions and festivals.

The portal will have separate categories for artistes of traditional and folk forms. All required details like their photographs, contact numbers (mobile or landline) of artists, their account details and their website, if they have any, will be available on this page for convenience of the public. The portal would also host a separate page for fine arts exponents in the art and culture department’s site.

The artistes would be given priority in the programmes conducted by the Department of Art and Culture in the state and when cultural teams are deputed for events being conducted in other states and countries.

Chief Minister also released a report of the ongoing archaeological works in the state, till July 31. In the report, the progress of the excavations and researches undertaken in Keeladi and its surrounding villages such as Kondagai, Agaram and Manalur, Adichanallur and Sivakalai in Thoothukudi districts and Kodumanal in Erode districts have been mentioned.

Similarly, new places, where evidences of stone age were found such as Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai, Salem and Dharmapuri and places on the banks of the Tamirabarani where there were evidences of pre-history civilization were found have also been explained in the report.

Chief Minister further appreciated M Pooranasundari and D Balanagendiran, both visually challenged and recently cleared UPSC civil service examinations. Mementos appreciating their efforts were also given to them by Chief Minister.