Coimbatore: Kumaraguru College of Liberal Arts and Science (KCLAS) organised SIRAGUGAL 2026 – Alumni Excellence & Creative Recognition on October 8 at its campus in Coimbatore, honouring the creative journeys of its alumni while bringing students closer to the evolving world of cinema.
Organised by the Department of Visual Communication, the programme honoured lyricist Mathi Pugazhenthi and film entrepreneur Surenthar Nalini for their achievements in the Tamil film industry. Acclaimed filmmaker, writer and actor Director Ram participated in the event, which brought together alumni, students and members of the creative community for discussions on Tamil literature, storytelling and contemporary cinema.
A key highlight was a special interaction titled "From Words to Cinema – Creative Tamil in Contemporary Cinema," which explored the relationship between creative writing, lyrics, visual communication and filmmaking.
Mathi Pugazhenthi, an Agaram scholar and alumnus of the 2022–2025 batch, was recognised for his achievements as a Tamil writer and his debut as a lyricist in Director Ram's film Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai. Surenthar Nalini was felicitated for establishing AAZHI Pictures and acquiring the all-India rights to the same film, reflecting the growing entrepreneurial opportunities in film rights and distribution.
Addressing the gathering, Director Ram spoke about the enduring value of human experience and the role of education in shaping perspectives beyond the classroom. He observed that while artificial intelligence could deliver information within seconds, it could not replicate the experience and wisdom a teacher imparts through direct interaction with students.
Recalling his school days, Ram spoke about how an English teacher had helped him understand Shakespeare's poetry. He emphasised that teachers should do more than impart textbook knowledge; they should share their experiences and insights to help students develop a deeper understanding of life.
He also described love as a force capable of making people youthful, adventurous, poetic and revolutionary, underscoring the influence of human emotions on creativity and expression.
Reflecting on the growing accessibility of information through AI, Ram said that art, the humanities and an understanding of society would assume greater significance in the coming years. He expressed the view that these fields could gain considerable importance over the next five years, as technological advances continue to reshape how people access information and engage with the world.
Urging students to look beyond degrees and employment prospects, he encouraged them to use their college years to build meaningful friendships, understand people and society, explore new ideas and nurture their creativity. He stressed that curiosity, independent thought and social awareness were essential to personal and intellectual growth.
The programme brought together students and faculty members from colleges across Coimbatore, alongside KCLAS students, alumni and invited guests, creating an inter-collegiate platform for creative exchange and engagement with the film industry.
Through SIRAGUGAL 2026, KCLAS sought to celebrate the accomplishments of its alumni while inspiring aspiring writers, filmmakers and media professionals to explore new possibilities in the creative industries.
