• Five-day “Nishagandhi Monsoon Ragas” Music Fest to begin on July 20
Eminent classical musicians Padma Shri Parassala B Ponnammal and Padma Bhushan Dr. T V. Gopalakrishnan have been selected for the inaugural Nishagandhi Sangeetha Puraskaram, instituted by Kerala Tourism to honour artists who have made outstanding contributions to music.
Nishagandhi Monsoon Ragaas, the five-day music festival organized by the Kerala Tourism Department, will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Governor of Kerala Rtd Justice P. Sathasivam on July 20, at 6.15 PM at Kanakakunnu Palace.
Recipient of Padma Shri Parassala B. Ponnammal, 95, has an eventful musical career, starting as a budding singer with All India Radio in 1940. She also has the distinction of being the first female student of Swathi Thirunal Music Academy. She also stood out as the first woman singer performed during the Navarathri Music Festival at Navarathri mandapam near Sree Padamanabhaswamy Temple. Besides being a leading Carnatic vocalist, Ponnammal has also left a deep impression as a music scholar and teacher associated with leading institutions. Honours received by Ponnammal include Guruvayurappan Chembai Puraskaram, Sangeetha Nataka Akademy award and Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram.
Padma Bhushan Dr T V Gopalakrishnan 87, known as TVG has an illustrious musical career spanning over several decades. A versatile artist, he excelled both as a vocalist, mrudangam player and violinist, and accompanied leading singers at a young age. He is equally proficient in the Hindustani tradition and is a revered authority on various musical streams. He has conducted hundreds of concerts in the country and abroad since 1949, and boasts of large fan following and disciples, cutting across boundaries.
The honour to the top-notch classical musicians will be presented by Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala at the valedictory ceremony of Nishagandhi Mansoon Ragas Music Festival on July 24, at 6 pm at Kanakakunnu Palace.
The five-day music festival will bring a rare treat of classical and ethnic musical traditions of the subcontinent, featuring both vocalists and instrumentalists of various streams.
