The following artistes have been selected for the Music Academy’s awards for 2025
Sangita Kalanidhi
RK Shriramkumar – One of the best-known violinists in the art, RK Shriramkumar comes from a family that has given us many renowned musicians. He trained initially under Smt Savitri Sathyamurthy and then under his grandfather and veteran violinist RK Venkatarama Sastry. He also underwent training under Sangita Kalanidhi DK Jayaraman. Known for having accompanied artistes ranging from veterans such as Sangita Kalanidhi-s Semmangudi R Srinivasa Iyer, T Brinda, MS Subbulakshmi and DK Pattammal to present day musicians, Shriramkumar is also known for his wide repertoire, his in depth lecture demonstrations, his tuning of compositions and composing of songs. He is much sought-after guru as well. In the past few decades he has been acknowledged as an authority on the Sangita Sampradaya Pradarsini of Subbarama Dikshitar, which remains one of the best-known compilations of Muthuswami Dikshitar compositions.
Sangita Kala Acharya
Shyamala Venkateswaran – One of the senior artistes in the field, Shyamala Venkateswaran began learning music at the age of five. Her singing talent was recognised early by the Music Academy and the city-based Sabha-s. She worked as a staff artiste at the All India Radio and was also graded A-Top in that organisation. She has performed at various venues in India and abroad and is a much respected guru.
Thanjavur R Govindarajan – Among the senior-most tavil artistes of today, Thanjavur Govindarajan has been performing on this instrument for over sixty years. He began his tutelage at the age of eight and within four years exhibited great mastery over the instrument. By the 1970s he became a front-ranker in nagaswaram tavil ensembles. He is a widely sought after guru and has trained several disciples.
TTK Award
Madambi Subramania Namboothiri – Considered one of the authorities in Kathakali Music, Madambi Subramania Namboothiri received training in Kathakali and Carnatic Music. He was part of the Kerala Kalamandalam faculty for over 30 years and has also performed widely in India and abroad. He is known for his strict adherence to the Kathakali idiom in his music rendering and has trained disciples in the art.
Jeyaraaj and Jaysri Iyer – Jeyaraaj and Jaysri Iyer had their training on the veena from the Guruguha Gana Vidyalaya, Kolkata where they trained under Brahmasri Anantharama Iyer and his sister A Champakavalli. They trace their lineage to Muthuswami Dikshitar via this tutelage and have performed widely as a vainika duo. They are A Top artistes at the AIR and are noted for their adherence to the pathanthara of their school.
Musicologist
Dr M Hariharan – Trained in Hindustani and Carnatic Music, Dr M Hariharan holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology from Mysore University. Together with his Guru and mentor Prof Gowri Kuppuswamy, he has authored over 50 books and 60 research papers. He later chose to focus on music as a means of therapy and has released several recordings on the subject.
Nritya Kalanidhi
Urmila Satyanarayana – Trained under Guru-s KN Dandayudhapani Pillai, KJ Sarasa and Kalanidhi Narayanan, Urmila had her debut at the age of ten. Over the years she established herself as a front-ranking Bharata Natyam artiste. She is also a much sought-after Guru and has trained numerous disciples in the field.
