Press Release - 24 July 2011 - Sangeet Natak Akademi

Shri M.V. Simhachala Sastry has been conferred the Ugadi Visista Puraskaram by theGovernment of Andhra Pradesh. He has received the title of Harikatha Chudamani from the AdiBhatta Narayana Dasa Aradhana Sangham (2006), and has been declared AsthanaVidwan by the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham (2008). Shri M.V. Simhachala Sastry has receivedthe Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2010 for his contribution to the art of Harikatha.SUGUNA PURUSHOTHAMANBorn in 1941 in Chennai, Shrimati Suguna Purushothaman received her training in Carnaticmusic from towering musicians in the field, including Shri Musiri Subramanya Iyer, SemmangudiSrinivasa Iyer, Thinniam Venkatarama Iyer, and P. Sambamoorti. She also acquired proficiencyin playing the Veena, which she learnt under Shrimati Lalithabai Shamanna. Over the years,Shrimati Purushothaman has won recognition as a leading Carnatic vocalist. A distinctivefeature of her music is the dwitalaavadhana — the art of keeping two different talas, producingintricate rhythm. She is a top-ranking artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan, and hasproduced many recordings of her own compositions — Padavarnams, Kritis, thematicRagamalikas, Javalis and Thillanas. She has authored a book of her compositions titledKadambam. She has performed widely in India and abroad. For her achievement as a singerand composer, Shrimati Suguna Purushothaman has been honoured by various institutions.These distinctions include the title of Sangeetha Choodamani conferred by the Sri Krishna GanaSabha (2004), the Vaggeyakara award of The Music Academy, Chennai (2006), and theKalaimamani title bestowed by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram (2006). ShrimatiSuguna Purushothaman has received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2010 for hercontribution to Carnatic vocal music.NAGAI R MURALIDHARANBorn in 1958 in Chennai, ShriNagai R. Muralidharan received his initial training in music fromhis mother Shrimati R. Komalavalli. He was further groomed in his art by Shri R.S.Gopalakrishnan. Over the years Shri Muralidharan has won recognition as a distinguishedviolinist, and has been commended for the clarity of his notes and their rich tonal quality. Hischaste, traditionalstyle has won him a following among discerning listeners. A regular performeron All India Radio and Doordarshan, he is proficient both as a solo performer and accompanist.He has performed widely, and has accompanied many eminent vocalists in the field of Carnaticmusic. Shri Muralidharan has been honoured for his work with several titles and awardsconferred by the state and by sabhas. These honours include the Raja Annamalai ChettiarMemorial Award given by the Music Academy, Chennai (1993), the Kalaimamani title bestowedby the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram (2003), the Maharajapuram Santhanam MemorialAward (2009), and the Vani Kala Sudhakara title conferred by the Sri Thyaga Brahma GanaSabha, Chennai (2010). Shri Nagai R. Muralidharan has received the Sangeet Natak AkademiAward for 2010 for his contribution to Carnatic instrumental music. Maharani’s Arts College inMysore and Bangalore for a period of thirty years. She has created over two hundredcompositions in various ragas in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit. A top-ranking artist of AllIndia Radio and Doordarshan, she has produced a number of theme-based musical features forthe media. She has several publications to her credit. Shrimati Srinath has been honoured forher varied work in music by the state and autonomous organizations. Among these honours arethe title of Gana Saraswati presented by the Vice-President of India, the Rajyotsava Prashasthiaward conferred by the Government of Karnataka, the Chowdiah National Award given by theAcademy of Music, Bangalore, and the Sambhrama Puraskar bestowed by the Government ofKarnataka. Shrimati Mysore Nagamani Srinath has received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardfor 2010 for her contribution to Carnatic vocal music.