The Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi has announced its awards for 2012. “Altogether 18 artists have been selected for the awards,” Akademi chairman Surya Krishnamurthy and secretary P V Krishnan Nair said in a press conference here on Thursday. The award carries a purse of `7,500, citation and a plaque.
The awards for vocalists are for classical musicians Thiruvananthapuram Krishnakumar, Binny Krishnakumar and Vanaja Shanker. Kalanilayam Babu, Mavelikkara Susheelkumar and Kelathu Kuttappa Marar won the awards for Madhalam, Mridangam and Timila,respectively.
In light music, Alleppey Vivekandan and Rajeev Alunkal bagged the awards for the singer and lyricist, respectively. Advocate Manilal won the award for screen play writer (dramma) and Abilash Pillai and Ravi Vallathole won the awards for drama (broadcasted) and direction, respectively.
The award for Kathaprasangam is for Idakochi Saleemkumar. Kalamandalam Subramanyan won the award for Kathakali. Sreedevi Rajan, Rajasree Warrier and Aravinda Pisharody received the awards for Mohiniyattom, Bharatnatyam and Krishnattam respectively.
Mudiyettu artist Keezhillom Unnikrishnan has been selected for the T P Memorial Endowment Award and Mala Ravi has been selected for the C I Parameswarn Pillai Endowment Award for drama. Krishnamurthy said that a 10-member advisory committee would be formed as part of the Akademi’s effort to conduct the International Theatre Festival more efficiently from next year.