Noted Mridangam exponent A.V. Anand was honoured with the “Sangeetha Kala Ratna” title on Sunday by the Bangalore Gayana Samaja.
The title was conferred at a programme organised by the Samaja to mark the conclusion of its week-long 41st music conference. The 73-year-old Anand, who was also president of the 41st music conference, was felicitated and presented with the title by Samaja president, M.R.V. Prasad, in the presence of Avani Sringeri Math head, Abhinava Vidyashankara Bharati Swamiji. Mr. Anand was hailed as “A mridangam exponent known for clarity of strokes.”
The Samaja also presented the “Artists of the Year” awards to eight personalities who had excelled in various aspects of music. The winners were: D.V. Nagarajan, P.V. Radha (vocal), M.S. Govindaswamy (violin), R.K. Padmanabha (Veena), Sukanya Ramgopal (Ghatam), Uma Nagabhushan (Non-resident Kannadiga), Y.K. Muddukrishna (Light Music) and Achyuta Rao Padaki (Drama).