CHENNAI: A total of 125 artistes who excelled in the field of art, dance and drama in the last three years in Tamil Nadu were conferred the "Kalaimamani" awards by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi here on Sunday evening.
Cinematographer Rajeev Menon, comedian Karunaas, writers Elasai Sundaram and Rani Mainthan were presented with the awards for 2008 at a function here this evening.
Writers Nanjil Nadan, Rajeshkumar, Actors Chinni Jayanth, Actress Rohini, Saranya, veteran actress Padmini, vocalist Gayathri Girish, television artistes Poovilangu Mohan were presented the awards by Karunanidhi for the year 2009.
For the year 2010, vocalists T V Gopalakrishnan and Sasikiran, flautist Tiruvarur Swaminathan, Singer Kalyani Menon, Actress Arya, Anushka and Thamanna Bhatia were presented the awards
The Chief Minister also presented the 'M S Subbulakshmi Award' to noted music composer Illayaraja,the 'Balasaraswathi Award to danseuse Padma Subrahmaniyam, Bharati Award to writer Jayakanthan, Lifetime Achievement Award to veteran Actress Saroja Devi and to Actor Y G Mahendra respectively.
Speaking after presenting the awards, he said the DMK government, if voted to power after the coming polls, would double the number of awardees.
Karunanidhi, who has been associated with the Tamil film industry for the past 50 years through screenplays and dialogues, recently received the 'Heart of Cinema' award from the jury of International Film festival of Nagpur for his 'outstanding contribution to the industry.'