The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : 70 artists get Kalaimamani awards

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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

70 artists get Kalaimamani awards

Staff Reporter

Cheran, Sivamani, Asin, Meera Jasmine, Harris Jayaraj among awardees

CHENNAI: At a time when the city is basking in the success of its own Mozart’s victory at the Oscars, it is raining awards here with the Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday announcing Kalaimamani awards for 70 persons who have made a significant contribution to their respective fields.

The awards are given by the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mantram.

Awardees include Tamil writer A. Madavan; poet Sirpi; vocalist Maharajapuram Srinivasan; drummer Sivamani; thavil vidwan T.M.Ramanathan; Bharatanatyam exponents Sangeetha Kapilan, Aishwarya Dhanush; actors Bharath, V.Pasupathi, Meera Jasmine, Nayanthara, Asin; music director Harris Jayaraj; art director P.Krishnamurthy; and violinist Embar Kannan.

A porkizhi (purse) will be given to theatre composer N.S.Varadharajan, Puraviattam artist T.C.Sundaramurthy and theatre artist T.N.Krishnan.

Aaduthurai-based Sree Sankaranarayana Sabha has been selected for the best theatre group and Tamil Isai Mantram in Thiruvaiyaru the best art institution.

Some of the recipients of the award expressed their joy and excitement while revealing their future plans.

For Saroja Devi, the award came as a heartening recognition from Tamil fans and industry. “When Kamal Hassan called me and informed this, it was unbelievable. I never expect awards. But, every time I receive it, it feels great for I am being honoured for doing what I love. This award is special to me and I think it is purely by the grace of God. It is also wonderful to see so many young talents being recognised through this award,” she said.

Aishwarya Dhanush, dancer and daughter of actor Rajinikanth, said it was very exciting to be receiving the honour. “I have to thank my guru Meenakshi Chittaranjan, my husband Dhanush, who encouraged me to resume professional dancing, and my parents, who took the initiative.” My son Yatra is my lucky charm.”

Aishwarya, who has been working as associate director to Selvaraghavan on ‘Ayirathil Oruvan,’ says she also finds direction fascinating. “The film is nearly over and the post-production work is on. I hope I do justice to this recognition and work harder.” She is also working on some dance productions.

Director Cheran, in a restrained tone, said he was happy to have got into the list of recipients of Kalaimamani. Ace drummer Sivamani found the award a “first step towards many more to come.”

He said: “I am thrilled beyond words. I could not perform at the Oscars despite being invited by A.R. Rahman since I had a concert at Mookambigai temple, Kollur. I received this news soon after that and I would say this is a divine blessing. It is doubly special because the recognition is from my State.”

Veteran theatre person N. Muthuswamy of Koothu-P-Pattarai said he was happy to receive the honour. “We are currently working on a production, which is based on a therukoothu ritual called ‘Arjunan Thapas.’ Rehearsals are going on for this production which will to be staged soon.”

Interestingly, actor Pasupathy, a Koothu-P-Pattarai product, has also received the award. “The most special thing for me about this award is receiving it with my guru Muthuswamy sir,” he said.

Carnatic vocalist Maharajapuram Srinivasan said he was greatly honoured as his father, the legendary Maharajapuram Santhanam, was also a recipient of the award. “It is, indeed, an honour and I place this award at the feet of my father. As soon as I heard about this, I spoke to my guru Lalgudi Jayaraman sir and he said it was the blessings of my father.”

Violinist Embar Kannan thanked the musical trinity and said the award was very encouraging.

“I thank my guru Kanyakumari for her invaluable guidance and my father Embar S. Sadagopan for initiating me into this wonderful art,” says the artist, who is also into composing and performing as part of ensembles.

‘Avvai’ Natarajan, a Tamil scholar, turned nostalgic and recalled the day when ‘Kalaimamani’ was instituted. “I was the Secretary of Department of Tamil Development Culture and Religious Endowment then. I feel humbled, as the award was received by my father (‘Avvai’ Duraisami) almost 20 years ago. It will be more special when I receive the award from the hands of the Chief Minister, who has been an exemplary figure in nurturing the language.”

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