Ranjini Kaushik, curator, Margazhi Matram; R. Sundar, secretary, Hamsadhwani; and Nithyasree Mahadevan, Carnatic vocalist giving Rani Maganty Lifetime Achievement Award to S.R. Krishnamurthy at the inauguration of Margazhi Matram on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: Akhila Easwaran
At the inauguration of Margazhi Matram’s sixth edition, organised by SciArtsRUs and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, several artistes, including those with disabilities were honoured at the Mylapore Fine Arts club here on Sunday.
The Rani Maganty Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Carnatic vocalist S.R. Krishnamurthy and Founder-Director of Rasa Ambika Kameshwar. The Rising Star Apex Award was presented to vocalist Namagiripettai Gokulakrishnan. The Vasantha Ramachander Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Pranav Ramesh of Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalitha Music and Fine Arts University, which was collected by Carnatic musician Nithyasree Mahadevan. In a one-of-a-kind initiative, the inaugural ceremony included a sign language choir, ‘Mouna Ragam – Sounds of Silence’, which was led by hearing impaired children of the Clarke School, featuring about 200 students performing Tamil Thai Vazhthu, Manathil Uruthi vendum, and the national anthem only through sign language, with the audience also joining the choir in sign language.
“This is the first step by us in trying to bring in sign language and other types of immersive aspects to enjoy music,” said the curator of Margazhi Matram and founder of SciArtsRUs, Ranjini Kaushik.
“We have heard the songs before, but today’s sign language choir was truly an emotional moment,” said Carnatic vocalist S. Saketharaman.
Radhika Shurajit, Artistic Director, Thrayee School of Bharatanatyam, R. Sundar, secretary of Hamsadhwani Sabha, veteran violinist T.K. Padmanabhan, and Carnatic vocalist K.N. Shashikiran also spoke.
Published – December 08, 2025 04:46 am IST
