Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Carnatica honours Lalgudi G. Jayaraman

CHENNAI: Carnatica Archival Centre for Music and Dance on Sunday presented the lifetime achievement award to violin maestro Lalgudi G. Jayaraman for his contribution to music. The award, which carries a memento, a citation and a shawl, was presented as part of Carnatica’s Bharat Sangeet Utsav 2008.

Carnatica also presented awards to nine other musicians for their excellence in classical music.

The ‘consistent performer of the decade’ title was presented to T.V.Sankaranarayanan, the ‘people’s choice award’ to Aruna Sairam, the ‘best duo performers award’ to Bombay Sisters – C.Saroja and C. Lalitha, ‘violinist of the year award’ to Nagai Muralidharan, ‘percussionist of the year award’ to Tiruvarur Bhaktavatsalam, ‘personality of the year award’ to Srimushnam Raja Rao, ‘support artist of the year award’ to S. Karthick and ‘young star award’ to Master M. Balamuralikrishna.

US Consul General in Chennai Andrew T.Simkin, who presented the awards, said music was a better way of communication than the spoken language.

Carnatic music, he said, was rich in traditions and American music could benefit from it.

Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Committee Secretary V.V.Sundaram said that there is an increased understanding of Carnatic music in the US due to the steady stream of cultural exchanges between the US and India since 1950s.

Industrialist Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetti said that musicians were the best ambassadors of India’s rich culture and tradition.

Carnatica co-founder K.N. Shashikiran said Carnatica is almost a decade old and through innovative ideas and use of technology, it aimed at taking Carnatic music globally.

The Bharat Sangeet Utsav, being organised in association with Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Sabha, attempted to bring together different genres of musicians, he added.

Ramanathan N. Iyer, director, Carnatica, said that the awards were finalised based on a survey involving connoisseurs and rasikas.

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