Sri Maruthi Bhaktha Samajam Trust's Srimath Hanumath Jayanthi Mahotsava Music festival was inaugurated at Nanganallur here on Friday. On the occasion, the trust conferred ‘Hanumath Gana Siromani' title on mridangist Karaikudi Mani. The award carries a shawl, a citation, a silver plaque and a cash purse of Rs.25,000.
Speaking after inaugurating the festival, M. Narendra, Chairman and Managing Director, IOB, said it was a great achievement for the trust to have successfully organised the programme for the past 35 years. The programme attracted a large number of devotees, which clearly showed the yeoman service rendered by the organisation.
On its part, the bank would ensure that the festival is conducted successfully in the years to come, he said. On the occasion, he also pointed out that the bank was providing a high rate of interest for deposits by senior citizens.
In his acceptance speech, Mani said that in the last 57 years of his musical experience this was the fourth award that he decided to accept. He accepted the honour after getting approval from his guru, he said. Moreover, it was the first time that the trust had honoured a mridanga vidwan, he pointed out.
Soon after receiving the cash purse, Mr. Mani added another Rs.25,000 to the cash purse and donated Rs.50,000 totally to the Sri Phavaman Annadhanam Trust.
Earlier, S. Ramani Iyer, founder, chairman and managing trustee of the Phavaman Trust, conferred the title on Mani.
