K.A.Viswanathan
Mumbai: Noted Mrudangam maestro Padma Vibhushan Dr. Umayalapuram K. Sivaraman and Harikatha exponent Kalyanapuram R. Aravamudachariar were presented with the Sri
Shanmukhananda National Eminence award for their lifetime contributions in their fields at the Sabha hall on Saturday. Each award carries a cash prize of Rs.2.50 lakhs , a citation
and a bronze lamp. Aravamudachariar was presented in absentia as he could not be present due to health reason.
Three upcoming musicians Smt. Vasudha Ravi and Vignesh Ishwar, both carnatic vocal and Harish Narayan in Hindustani Sarangi were presented with Shanmukha Sangeetha
Shiromani awards. The award presented to encourage the artists in their fields, each carrying a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/- a citation and a trophy.
Shanmukhanada started the above awards in the year 2002 and has been honouring several noted musicians in different fields like Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia , Dr. Padma Subramaniam , Vyjayantimala Bali , Ustad Amjat Ali Khan and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer.
The programme started with Vedic chanting by Vedapatashala students from SIES Nerul and reading of citation before presenting the awards. Dr. V. Shankar, President of the
Sabha presented the awards to the artists.
After the award function Umayalupuram Sivaraman gave a solo concert with his Mrudangam and later presented the same to the Sabha for its music library. He said he
has been associated with the Sabha for more than 60 years. Shankar also presented to the Vidhwan with a golden Mrudangam.
