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| Padma awards conferred on south Indian artistes |   | |||
Recipients of the 'Padma Bhushan' award were carnatic vocalists Madurai N. Krishnan, Rajam Iyer, P.S. Narayanaswamy, T.V. Shankaranarayanan, Trichur V. Ramachandran, mridangist Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman and dancers Padma Subrahmanyam (Bharatanrityam), Swapnasundari (Kuchipudi) and Ammanur Madhva Chakyaar (Koodiyattam). Bharatanatyam dancer Malavika Sarukkai was conferred the 'Padma Shri' award. Renowned Odissi dancer Sonal Mansingh, also a practitioner of Bharatanatyam received the nation's second highest honour, 'Padma Vibhushan'. Arts promoter Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti who is the President of half-a-dozen sabhas in Madras was conferred the 'Padma Shri' in the field of Trade and Industry. Get to know these artistes here: |
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 Vidwan Madurai N. Krishnan had his gurukulavasam under Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar. A well known vocalist and composer, he has composed several numbers for the Bharatanatyam repertoire, widely performed by dancers today. His compositions are available in a book, 'Madura Margam'. He is currently the director of Shree Bharatalaya, run by dance guru Prof. Sudharani Raghupathy in Chennai. |
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 Nephew of the famous vocalist Madurai Mani Iyer, T.V. Sankaranarayanan is a lawyer by profession. But, music is what he is known for. A prolific performer, this vocalist had 16 concerts in the December Season 2002. He recently toured the U.S and Canada. |
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 P.S.Narayanaswamy, a senior disciple of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, also trained under masters like Thiruppambaram Somasundara Pillai (Nadaswara Vidwan) and Mudikondan Venkatarama Iyer. PSN's Vadya Vrinda (Symphony) was the highlight of the show on the occasion of AIR's golden jubilee in 1981. |
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 B. Rajam Iyer trained under Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar. He was the Professor of Musicology in the Tamil Nadu Government College of Music from 1966 to 1981, and Principal of the Teachers' College of Music, affiliated to the Music Academy, from 1983 till his voluntary retirement recently. He has undertaken many lecture tours and conducted workshops in the U.K., U.S., and Canada. The musician turned 80 in May 2002. |
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 Trichur V. Ramachandran had his early training in Carnatic Music under Varkala Subramania Bhagavathar and Thripunithura R. Krishna Iyer and later under G.N.Balasubramaniam. Besides his solo concerts, he also sings alongwith his wife Charumathi and daughter Subhashree. The trio recently staged 'Nauka Charithram' a musical-opera in Chennai. |
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 Mridangist Umayalpuram Sivaraman trained under four gurus - Arupathi Natesa Iyer, Thanjavur Vaidhyanatha Iyer, Palghat Mani Iyer and Kumbakonam Rangu Iyengar. He is the Director of the 'Thanjavur Vaidhyanatha Iyer School for Percussion' of The Music Academy and runs his own institution, 'Laya Lavanya' in Mylapore, Madras. He has accompanied maestros and also collaborated in fusion concerts. |
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 An exponent of Bharatanrityam, Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam is known for her unique style of performance. She trained under Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai, Dandayuthapani Pillai and Gowri Ammal. From various devadasis, she is said to have learnt 150 different adavus. She trained in music under B.V. Lakshman and Salil Chaudhry. The dancer obtained a Ph.D in dance for her research on 'Karanas'. She runs a dance school, 'Nrithyodaya' in Madras. She has been recently touring with her latest production 'Bhagavad Gita'. |
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 A leading exponent of Odissi, Sonal Mansingh has also had decades of training in Bharata Natyam, Chhau (martial dance form Orissa) and Indian music. Her choreographic works are based on Indian mythology as well as contemporary issues. Of late, her works focus on issues concerning women and environment. Since 1977, she has been training students at her Centre for Indian Classical Dances (CICD) in Delhi |
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 Known for her solo performances, Malavika Sarukkai trained in Bharatanatyam under Gurus K. Kalyanasundaram Pillai, S.K. Rajaratnam, and Kalanidhi Narayanan. She was also trained in Odissi by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and Ramani Ranjan Jena. Widely traveled, she also has several choreographic works to her credit like Krishna Ritu Krida, Fireflies and Khajuraho - Temples of the Sacred and the Secular. She recently celebrated 30 years of her dance career. |
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| Posted Messages | ||||
| Message for Ammanur Madhava Chakyar,
Our humble salutations to you. For years and years, over thick and thin, you stood firm on your convictions and practice on the one thing you hold so dear, KOODIYATTAM. You are a role model to present day artistes on what dedication and sincerity to your chosen path is all about. We know from a our little knowledge of history that dance, like Bharathanatyam, was taboo at one time. It was because of the Nattuvannars and their ilk that this art somehow managed to survive the trials and tribulations of the early 20th century. At least in that case, there was an active opposition. In the case of KOODIYATTAM, the case was much worse! Why? Because it is sheer apathy that almost spelt doom and extinction to THE oldest Sanskrit theatre in existence on this planet. We all know that in present day Kerala almost everyone defers to the PETRO-DOLLARS. It is sad that a land that was once fertile with rich cultural traditions and thought has in a short span of just 2 generations degenerated into a sheer cultural wasteland. But you SIR, stood firm. And, you stood TALL. Indeed, You are a MIGHTY HERO! Recognition and rewards from near and far, long overdue, that you so richly deserve, are finally coming your way. But we know that these mean little to you. Thou art a realized soul. But, this award from the Indian Republic means much to the rest of us who are keen that you are not forgotten. Sashtaanga Pranaams to you, Sir. We seek your blessings and we pray to the Almighty that HE showers you with health and a long life. Your life of dedication is a source of great inspiration to some of us. With warm regards from
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Dear Editor,
Quite strangely there has been a windfall of awards for the Carnatic music folks. I suppose some strong lobbying has been done. That's really good. There is some reason to celebrate as compared to last year when Lalgudi got Padma Shri and similarly ranked Hindustani performers got Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. Good I hope the lobbying goes on and on! Regards
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