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Sangita Kalanidhi Award

Recently, Carnatic vocalist Bombay Jayashri has been selected for the Sangita Kalanidhi award of the Music Academy for 2023.

About Sangita Kalanidhi award -

  • It is considered the highest award in the field of Carnatic music.
  • The award is conferred by the Madras Music Academy.
  • The award comprises a gold medal and a birudu patra (citation).
  • It is a landmark institution in the history of the fine arts. It emerged as an offshoot of the All
  • India Congress Session held in Madras in December 1927.
What is Carnatic music?

  • Carnatic music is commonly associated with southern India including the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, but also practised in Sri Lanka.
  • It is one of two major genres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu traditions, the other being Hindustani music, which emerged as a distinct form in northern India as a result of Persian and Islamic influences.

About the Madras Music Academy (MMA) -

  • It plays an important role in promoting the Carnatic Music.
  • History - A music conference was held along with All India Congress Session held in Madras in 1927and during the deliberations, the idea of a Music Academy emerged. Next year MMA was Inaugurated. Thus it!s an offshoot of INC madras session, 1927.

Awards given by the Madras Music Academy -

  • Sangeetha Kalanidhi - Awarded to one person who has contributed to the field of Carnatic music. Considered as the highest accolade in the field of Carnatic music; Since 2005, the Sangeetha Kalanidhi also receives the MS Subbulakshmi Award instituted by The Hindu.
  • Sangeetha Kala Acharya - Awarded to two senior musicians who have contributed by bringing several disciples to the concert platform.
  • Natya Kala Acharya - Awarded to a senior dancer at the inauguration of the annual dance festival.
  • TTK Award - Awarded to two senior musicians who have made a mark in the music field as icons and gurus. It is named after TT Krishnamachari, former Union Minister and industrialist, who was a great patron of the arts and was Vice-President of the Music Academy.
  • Papa KS Venkataramiah award - Awarded to a Violinist of merit; This award is named after Papa KS Venkataramiah (a great violinist of the past).
  • Musicologist Award - Awarded to a musicologist; A scholar who participates in musical research is a musicologist.
  • Indira Sivasailam endowment concert and medal - Awarded during Navaratri each year, it is given to the top-ranking performing artist in the concert organised at that time.