Have you read DT Next - it is English daily from Dina Thanthi

The MGR starrer ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ directed by B. R. Panthulu was released in 1965 and ran packed houses.   It had  Jayalalithaa in the lead role- with Nambiar, R. S. Manohar, Nagesh also in the cast.   Manimaran (MGR),  a doctor living in the country of Neidhal Naadu, cures the illness of one of the rebels against the dictator. . The ruler's guards arrest the rebels, along with Manimaran for helping them. Manimaran and the rebels are sold as slaves by the ruler to the nearby island called Kanni Theevu (Virgin Islands)……. .. and so goes the story. 

Sinbad is a fictional sailor and the hero of a story-cycle of Middle Eastern origin; he is described as living in Baghdad, during the Abbasid Caliphate. During his voyages throughout the seas east of Africa and south of Asia, he has fantastic adventures going to magical places, meeting monsters, and encountering supernatural phenomena.

Kanni Theevu and Sindbad are too well known in Tamilnadu owing their fame to Dina Thanthi. The story has been appearing in the daily far too long and is subject of many jokes on its unending continuance.   

Dina Thanthi (Daily Thanthi) is a famous  Tamil daily newspaper. Founded by S. P. Adithanar in Madurai in 1942, it  is the largest Tamil daily and the ninth largest daily in India by circulation.  It is printed in 16 cities across India and Now in Dubai(U.A.E Edition) also.  Dinathanthi has a distinct lucid style of describing [but often news item would get split to paras in different pages – as you read, you would end up reading – for the remainder of this news,  do see para 8 of page 7 !]

Its fame can be gauged by the fact that it is literally seen everywhere in the rural area – at small hotels, tea-shops, local libraries, barber shops and more … it has well and truly taken the World news to Tamil masses, making them understand in a very easy manner.  Now the paper costs Rs.5/-

The news is ………….. the famed Tamil Daily - Daily Thanthi Group, is set to launch a new English Newspaper 'DT Next'.  The group, which also has a 24-hours news channel, is also planning to float a GEC channel.  The English paper is now a 4 paged edition and is being given free with Dinathanthi Tamil paper for a few days to promote and make people aware of its birth. 

Malai Malar, the eveninger is also from its stables – so also are magazines : Rani Muthu, Rani, Gokulam Kadhir, an FM channel Hello FM. 

It remains to be seen whether Daily Thanthi's foray into English will be a challenge to the existing dailies and whether it can change the mindset that it has carefully cultivated over the years.  For now, DT Next has already created a price war in advertising.  The new paper has quoted Rs 615 per square centimeter for regular display as against not less Rs.1500 charged by othrs.  It reportedly would charge Rs.6 lakh for a full page as against the going rate of tens of lakhs in other leading English dailies.   However, among metros, Chennai market has least number of English Newspapers compared to other metros.  Besides The Hindu, Indian Express – there are Times of India and Deccan Chronicle. 

In Pudupet area, nearer Egmore Railway station – the road is named as Adithanar Salai, after the founder of Dinathanthi.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

3^rd Nov. 2015.