TANJONG MALIM- The Naadaga Chudar 2026 drama competition is returning to Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) on May 23, 2026, after a brief hiatus. This national-level event invites theater groups from higher education institutions, including public and private universities and vocational colleges, to showcase their talents. Special guests appeared which were Mr. Wickneswaren Kaliaperumal, a known film director, Mr. Thevaguru Suppiah, a Malaysian Tamil actor and Mr. Dhevaakar Suppiah, an actor, film director and domestic film distributor. Along with the YB Dato' Sivanesan A/L Achalingam
EXCO (Executive Council Member) of the Perak State Government, Chairman of the Committee for Human Resources, Health, National Integration and Indian Community Affairs, and also the State Assemblyman for Sungkai to officiate the national-level event on stage in UPSI.
Participants are required to craft performances centered on sociology and the Thirukkural, with entry limited to the first ten registered teams. Winners received significant cash prizes up to RM 2,000, along with trophies and individual awards for excellence in acting and storytelling. This initiative by the Valar Tamizh Mandram aims to revitalize the arts while celebrating Tamil literary heritage through the medium of stage performance.
The Naadagar Chudar 2026 national Tamil drama competition at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris demonstrates how performing arts can serve as a vehicle for language preservation, student development, and community engagement. By utilizing the Thirukkural as its thematic core, the event addressed critical sociolinguistic objectives: encouraging youth to engage deeply with classical grammar, moral philosophy, and advanced spoken Tamil.