CHENNAI: Renowned carnatic vocalist Sanjay Subrahmanyan has been chosen for the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi Award from the Music Academy this year. He will preside over the 89th conference of the Music Academy this Margazhi. Sanjay joins the league of select few artistes like Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar who were conferred with the award before they turned 50.
The 47-year-old carnatic singer, who started performing from 1987, has several other awards to his credit. He was conferred the Gaana Padhmam by the Brahma Gana Sabha in 2013, Vani Kala Sudhakara by the Tyaga Brahma Gana Sabha in 2010 and the title Kalaimamani by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2006. Earlier, he received awards as a junior artiste, including the Yuva Kala Bharathi by the Bharath Kalachar.
Awards and titles apart, Sanjay is one of the favourites in the December music season and has performed world wide. He was also the subject of a documentary, Aarar Aasaippadar, which received rave reviews. Sanjay also teaches music.
Apart from Sanjay Subrahmanyam, the other awardees are G N Nagamani Srinath (vocalist) and T H Subash Chandran (percussionist) under the Sangita Kala Acharya category, Seshampatti Sivalingam (Nagaswaram artiste), Kamala Aswathama (Veena artiste) for the TTK awards. M S Mani will receive the musicologist ‘Pappa Venkataramaiah’ Award. For the dance category, popular dancer Alarmel Valli will receive the Natya Kala Acharya Award.