CHENNAI: Violinist Kunnakudi R. Vaidyanathan was conferred the title `Sangeetha Mamani' at the inauguration of the 10th annual music festival of Sri Rama Bhaktha Jana Samaj, K.K. Nagar.

Indian Overseas Bank Senior General Manager K. Chandrasekaran presented the violinist with a shawl, citation and cash award.

Mr. Chandrasekaran said the bank had jointly hosted the Sabha's music festival with the aim of giving back something to society. He said the bank was associated with several other Sabhas during the music season because they did "yeomen service."

Mr. Vaidyanathan has been performing since the age of 11 and has accompanied Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and veena exponent S. Balachander, besides a host of other musicians.

Chennai Doordarshan former director A. Natarajan recalled the violinist's passion for music and his ability to reach out to the masses. Mr. Vaidyanathan has composed music for film lyricist Kannadasan's songs and for several Tamil movies.

He has been the secretary of the Tyaga Brahma Mahothsava Sabha in Tiruvaiyaru for the past 20 years. Senior violinist M.S. Anantharaman also felicitated the awardee.

Mr. Vaidyanathan said the award was an encouragement to artists. The Parur family popularised violin as an instrument in its own right in India.

His association with the All India Radio began in 1947. It was the listeners who had made him popular by listening to his recitals on AIR and Doordarshan, he said.

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