Trust honours Carnatic musiciansat its 24th anniversary celebrations

Sri Mannargudi Sambasiva Bhagavathar Cultural Trust celebrated its 24th anniversary by honouring senior Carnatic music artistes with MSB awards and conferring a lifetime achievement award on a medical professional in the city on Saturday.

While ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ (Maruthuva Chemmal) was presented to S. Venkatesan in recognition of his medical service spanning nearly five decades, classical vocalists Madurai R. Rajaram and Calcutta V.N. Shankar were conferred with ‘Gana Kala Siromani’ award. Vandavasi J. Ramakrishna Bhagavathar was presented with ‘Namasankeerthana Siromani’ award at Sri Thiagaraja Sangeetha Vidwath Samajam, Mylapore.

Presenting the awards, T.S. Sridhar, retired IAS officer and chairman, All India Vishnu Sahasranama Cultural Federation, said the trust had fostered music and culture through organising various events. Such awards, given in recognition of artistes’ contributions, would encourage them to render greater service to classical music. He referred to Mannargudi Sambasiva Bhagavathar as a versatile genius, credited with over 3,000 compositions.

Classical musician T.V. Gopalakrishnan paid floral tribute to S. Rajaraman, vice-president, Sri Thiagaraja Sangeetha Vidwath Samajam, who passed away last month.

He said the legacy of Mannargudi Sambasiva Bhagavathar and Rajaraman lay in their selfless service and unwavering commitment to nurturing Carnatic music and mentoring generations of artistes.

Recalling Rajaraman’s contributions, he said about 5,000 programmes, including annual events, were organised at the Samajam, reflecting Rajaraman’s meticulousness and dedication to promotion of music. A. Ramji, vice-president, Sri Thiagaraja Sangeetha Vidwath Samajam and S. Madhavan, Trustee, Sri Mannargudi Sambasiva Bhagavathar Cultural Trust, also spoke.