The violinist duo — Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi — were conferred with the eighth Indira Sivasailam Endowment Medal and citation at the Music Academy on Friday.
The award was conferred on the torch-bearers of the venerable ‘Lalgudi Bani’ for their immaculate performances, efforts to disseminate the style, their ability to innovate and yet retain the purity of Carnatic music.
The award was presented by the Indira Sivasailam Endowment Foundation established by Mallika Srinivasan, Chairman and CEO, Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, in memory of her mother Indira Sivasailam, along with the Music Academy.
Recalling the association between Indira Sivasailam and the Academy, N. Murali, president of The Music Academy, said she was deeply rooted in tradition and a patron of the arts. Her passion for Carnatic music was being celebrated through the endowment concert, regarded as integral to the Navaratri festivities.
Mr. Murali also said that the family supported the academy through various grants, including upgrading the library. Lauding the awardees, he said this was the first time that the award was being given to instrumentalists.
Appreciating the award recipients, Ms. Srinivasan said the fifth-generation musicians, who come from the lineage of a disciple of the saint Thyagaraja, had a nuanced relationship with violin.
Accepting the award, Mr. Krishnan said it was a special occasion to receive the coveted award as it was the birth month of his father Lalgudi G. Jayaraman. He also lauded his sister Vijayalakshmi, his concert partner for three decades. Calling it as enriching journey so far, he rededicated the award to the constant pursuit of nuances of music.
Ms. Vijayalakshmi said the award would encourage her to redouble her efforts towards her quest for music excellence and also pass on the art form to the next generation. The award ceremony was followed by their music concert.
