Honouring senior artistes and presenting nadaswaram and thavil to nine students of government music institutions marked the 15th edition of the Shradhanjali celebrations of Dr.Chinnamoulana Memorial Trust here on Sunday.
The octogenarians – Pandanallur P.K.Ramalingam Pillai, nadaswaram vidwan, and Needamangalam C.T.Kannappa Pillai, thavil vidwan – were honoured with citation and cash by the trust.
While six students received nadaswaram, three others were presented thavil on the occasion.
A citation presented to Mr.Ramalingam Pillai referred to his rich contribution to music for the past six-and-a-half decades along with his brother P.K.Mahalingam Pillai. He is the aasthana vidwan of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and adheena vidwan of Tiruvavaduthurai Adheenam. Mr.Pillai had also received several titles, including Kirthanaa alankara bhooshanam, and Rajarathinaa award. He had also accompanied T.N.Rajarathinam Pillai in a concert.
The citation for Mr.Kannappa Pillai referred to the rigorous training he had imparted to his 200-odd disciples. He has to his credit, titles and awards such as best mentor (sirantha gurunathar) award, thavil selvam, thavil isai naadhamani, kalaiselva maamani and kalarathna.
A.V.Krishnan, Executive Director, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), which donated the thavil and nadaswaram this year appreciated the services being rendered by the trust for promoting music and musicians. This was the first time that the BHEL turned its attention towards fine arts and music, as part of its corporate social responsibility. “Till now, we concentrated on education, self-employment of women and other social welfare activities,” Mr. Krishnan said
S.Ragunathan, Assistant General Manager, Karur Vysya Bank, paid rich tributes to Sheik Chinnamolana who revolutionised music. Pazhanivel, General Manager, Human Resource, BHEL, spoke.
Kasim, managing trustee, said this was the first time that thavil is being presented to students. The trust had planned to impart special training through vidwans to students who are talented in playing nadaswaram and thavil .
