BANGALORE: Veteran Hindustani vocalist Pandit Rajshekhar Mansur and Carnatic vocalist Vidwan S Shankar were chosen for the honorary awards of the Karnataka Music and Dance Academy for 2008-09.
The awardees Carnatic music: Vidushi Vasantha Madhavi, Bangalore (Vocal); T R Rangaswamy, Bangalore (vocal); H B Narayanachar, Chikballapur (violin); Usha Ramamurthy, Bangalore (Gotu instrument).
Hindustani music: Ramarao Jagarkal, Dharwad (vocal); Shobha Huilagola, Gadag (vocal); Sanjeev Potdar, Sirsi (Tabla); Sriramulu Raichurkar, Raichur (Shahanai).
Dance: K Haridas, Gadag; Sundari Santanam and Manju Bhargavi of Bangalore.
Light music: Dr Jayashri Aravind, Bangalore; N S Prasad (Mandolin).
In Kathakeerthana section Bhadragiri Sarvottamadasa, in Gamaka Venkatadri Sharma - both from Bangalore, were selected. Hindustani vocalist Sarayoo Sonni of Banares was given the annual award in the outside Karnataka category. Disclosing the awards list, chairman of the Academy Dr Pandit Narasimalu Vadavati said the awards would be given in a colourful programme to be held in Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bangalore on March 20. The honorary awards include a cash prize of Rs 10,000 and the annual awards include a cash prize of Rs 5,000.