IIT-M Director V. Kamakoti presenting Sangeetha Kalasikhamani award to Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan at the 93rd South Indian Music Conference and Festival at the Indian Fine Arts Society on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B.
The 93rd South Indian Music Conference and Festival of the Indian Fine Arts Society began here on Wednesday, with the conferring of the title Sangeetha Kalasikhamani on violin vidwans Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi at the Ethiraja Kalyana Mandapam in Alwarpet.
Speaking on the occasion, IIT-Madras Director V. Kamakoti urged parents and grandparents to take their children to music concerts. “Initiate them into music at a young age,” he said.
Origin of music
Elaborating on the Vedas and classical music, he said Sama Gaanam was the basis for all music. “Swaras come from Vedas, and hence, music has originated from Vedas.
Sama Veda is the foundation for our music, which is divine,” he further said.
Industrialist Nalli Kuppuswami Chetty said the Indian Fine Arts Society had the fine habit of finalising award details much ahead of the event.
Cleveland V.V. Sundaram appreciated the organisation for encouraging up-and-coming artistes. He recalled how the late mandolin player U. Srinivas was given an opportunity to perform when he was nine years old by its late president Emperuman Chetti.
Kathak and Bharathnatyam exponents Nirupama and Rajendra were honoured with the title Natya Kalasikhamani, and theatre artiste and director Dharini Komal with the Kalasikhamani Award.
The Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman Award was presented to mridangam vidwan J. Vaidhyanathan, and GNB Award was given to guru and Carnatic vocalist Mangalam Shankar.
Published – December 18, 2025 12:48 am IST
