Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, on Oct.11, presented the Kalaignar Awards at a ceremony organised by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram (Tamil Nadu Arts, Music, and Drama Council) at Kalaivanar Arangam.
The Chief Minister honoured 90 artists with the Kalaipani Awards for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023, along with special All India Awards for distinguished art exponents.
Following a rigorous selection process involving expert committees across disciplines like Music, Dance, Drama, Cinema, and Folk Arts, the list of awardees was approved by the Manram’s General Body. Each awardee received a 3-sovereign gold medal and a citation.
The Chief Minister also presented special All India Awards named after cultural icons:
- Bharathiar Award (Literature/Art): Presented to Dr. N. Murugesapandian.
- M.S. Subbulakshmi Award (Music): Received by Thiru. Vijay Yesudas on behalf of his father, Padma Vibhushan Dr. K. J. Yesudas.
- Bala Saraswathi Award (Dance): Presented to Padma Shri Muthukannammal.
Recipients of the All India Awards were honoured with a cash prize of ₹1 lakh and a 3-sovereign gold medal.
Institutional Awards
- Best Art Institution Trophy: Awarded to the Tamil Isai Sangam (Raja Annamalai Mandram), Chennai.
- Best Drama Troupe Rolling Trophy: Awarded to the Kalaignani M.R. Muthusamy Memorial Drama Troupe, Palayamet, Madurai District.
Both the Best Institution and Best Drama Troupe received a cash prize of ₹1 lakh each.
Awardees from our neighbourhood
Adyar Times congratulates the awardees from our neighbourhood:
Hemalatha Mani (Kalaimamani Award for 2023)
She is an esteemed Veena artist from the illustrious Carnatic music tradition of Tanjore. She commenced her training on the instrument at age 10 and later received advanced tutelage for over a decade from maestro Dr. Chitti Babu in Chennai.
She holds a Sangeeta Vidwan qualification in Veena and Musicology and a Master of Fine Arts degree. A regular fixture in Chennai’s prestigious December Season, she has performed across India and internationally, including for the Chief Minister during the Thirukkural Festival. Her numerous accolades include the Veena Gana Vinodhini title and a Lifetime Achievement Award (2019). A dedicated guru, her disciples include her daughters, renowned singers Dr. Charulatha Mani and Srimathumitha. She continues to share her art through albums and her fast-growing YouTube channel.
Hemalatha is a resident of Valmiki Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, and can be contacted at [email protected].
Papanasam Ashok Ramani (Kalaimamani Award for 2021)
Ashok Ramani is an accomplished Carnatic vocal musician with over 30 years of experience and the distinguished grandson of composer Brahmashri Papanasam Sivan. He began his training with his mother, Dr. Rukmini Ramani (Sivan’s daughter), and later received advanced tutelage from Dr. S. Ramanathan. An accomplished mridangam player as well, he has been a consistent performer at the prestigious Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival since 1996.
Ramani is a celebrated artist, recently honoured with the ‘Kalaimamani’ Award by the Tamil Nadu government (for 2021), the ‘Sangeetha Ratnakara’ (2024), and ‘Sangeetha Kala Sagaram’ (2023) from the Cleveland Thyagaraja Committee. He actively promotes his grandfather’s compositions globally, organising Papanasam Sivan festivals across the USA, Singapore, and Malaysia since 2007. He also holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Anna University.He can be contacted at 98403 48568, or at [email protected]. Visit: www.shivanisai.org.
