Veteran music director M K Arjunan, who is fondly known as Arjunan Master, was honoured here by the Mahakavi Vyloppilly Cultural Centre on Wednesday evening. The music maestro, who gifted many memorable songs to the malayalam cinema including the evergreen scores like ‘Kasthoori Manakkunnallo’, ‘Dukhame Ninakku Pularkala Vandhanam,’ ‘Sukhamoru Bindu,’ and ‘Yadhukula Rathi Devanevide’, was honoured by Excise Minister K babu at a function presided over by Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany.
After presenting the memento to the musician, Babu said that nearly 1000 songs, composed by the master for various films and plays, will speak for the talent of the music legend.
“It is a rare feet of achievement. But the irony is that Master was never recognised with many prestigious awards instituted by the Centre and State Governments. We are living in a society where everyone is treating award as a status symbol and buy accolades by using their personal clout and money.
“But master is an entirely different character. His songs are still cherished by music lovers and it is a great achievement to the Master’s fifty-year-long career,” Babu added.
Speaking on the occasion, director Vinayan said that the Centre and the State Governments are neglecting some veteran artistes like Arjunan Master and actor Madhu.
“There are many talented artistes like Master and Madhu who were never awarded a Padma Shri or similar honours.
“No prominent cultural leaders are raising their voice against such injustices. It is the same thing that happened with late actor Thilakan.
“The late Sukumar Azhikode was the only cultural figure who raised protest against the ban imposed on Thilakan. Let the function organised to honour Arjunan master be a pointer and open the eyes of our cultural leaders to protest on socio-cultural issues,” Vinayan added. Lyricist R K Damodaran, division councillors K V Manoj and Gracy Jospeh and Vyloppilly Cultural Centre secretary P V Sadanandan also spoke on the occasion.
