Compiled by JUNAID IBRAHIM, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHAN

       THE Sebasthiyar Kalaikoodam folk art school in Ipoh, Perak, which is facing land-related financial issues, will receive significant help, Makkal Osai reported.

       Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Santhara Kumar promised this during a visit to the school.

       The Indian traditional folk dance and music school founded by Iruthayam Sebasthiyar has served the community for a long time and has helped preserve Indian culture and folk art.

       The school is facing some issues such as its studio being located on KTMB land, not having its own permanent building, and rising operational costs.

       The government will provide RM15,000 to the school in October as the first allocation so it can continue its service.

       Further help will be channelled to the school after the matter is discussed with the relevant ministries to come up with an action plan and allocations to solve these issues, Santhara Kumar said.

       > Authorities in Tamil Nadu were left baffled when unknown persons left three valuable “aimpon” deity statues in front of a temple, Makkal Osai also reported.

       The statues, which are made of five types of metals which gives them their name, were left at the entrance of a temple in Chennai along with a “sembu” (small pot) made of the same material.

       Locals who noticed the statues left there notified the police who took possession of the items.

       The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.