National Current Affairs
Sangita Kalanidhi Award 2026
- 18 Mar 2026
- 3 min read
Why in News?
Renowned veena exponent Jayanthi Kumaresh has been selected for the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi award, which will be presented during the 100th Annual Conference and Concerts of the The Music Academy, Madras.
Key Points:
- Award Recognition: Sangita Kalanidhi is considered the highest honour in Carnatic music.
- Centenary Milestone: Founded in 1928 (following the 1927 INC session in Madras), the Music Academy celebrates its 100th year of existence in 2026-27.
- The "Sangita Kalanidhi" Title: Considered the "Nobel Prize" of Carnatic music, it is awarded annually to an individual who has made a lifetime contribution to the field of music.
- Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh: A sixth-generation musician, she is the niece of the legendary violin maestro Lalgudi Jayaraman and a disciple of Padmavathy Ananthagopalan.
- Contribution to Veena: She is credited with globalising the Saraswati Veena. Her playing style, known for its "Gayaki" (vocal) quality, bridges the gap between traditional Carnatic music and contemporary global collaborations.
- Innovation: She is the founder of "Indian National Orchestra" and has pioneered the "CUPPA" (Carnatic Music Understanding for Popular Public Appreciation) series to make classical music accessible to the masses.
- Awards: She is already a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and has performed at prestigious venues like the United Nations and the Theatre de la Ville, Paris.
- Other Major Awards Announced: The Music Academy also announced several other key recognitions for 2026:
- Sangita Kala Acharya: Awarded to veteran musicians G.S. Mani and R. Vedavalli (vocalists) for their role in teaching and preserving traditional "Pathantara."
- TTK Awards: Conferred upon Neyveli Skanda Subramanian (Mridangam) and S. Kasim & S. Babu (Nagaswaram exponents).
- Musicologist Award: Awarded to Dr. Meenakshi S.S. for her research into ancient musical treatises.
- Nritya Kalanidhi (Dance): The title for the 100th Dance Festival will be awarded to veteran Bharatanatyam exponent Malavika Sarukkai.
- Significance:The award highlights the importance of preserving and promoting Carnatic music traditions.
- Revival of Veena Tradition:The recognition of a veena artiste underscores efforts to revive interest in traditional instruments, which face declining popularity.
