Music fest climaxes

The five-day ‘Music Festival 2009’ organised by the Academy of Music at the Chowdaiah Memorial Hall concluded on Sunday, with the presentation of the KK Murthy Memorial Chowdaiah Awards to Padma Bhushan M Balamuralikrishna and Padma Shri Kadri Gopalnath.

The evening began with a Vedagosha by Pt Balu Shastry and party, followed by an invocation by Suchethan Rangaswamy. Governor HR Bharadwaj, who was the chief guest, presented a cash prize of Rs1 lakh and a miniature violin each to the two pundits.
On receiving the award, Balamuralikrishna said, “I accept this as prasadam from Mysore T Chowdaiah and KK Murthy.” He even rendered Mandiramu Manamandiramu composed by him when the hall was inaugurated.

Kadri Gopalnath said, “I am proud to receive this prestigious award on the same platform as Guruji (Balamuralikrishna). I thank my parents, my gurus TV Gopalakrishna and N Gopalakrishna Iyer.”

Employees of Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, Bopaiah and Sumitrappa, too were felicitated by the governor for their loyal service of more than 25 years. Prizes were also given away to the winners of the music competition organised by the Academy.

The ceremony ended with a concert by Padma Shri Aruna Sairam and party, who began with a song of Balamuralikrishna.