Sangita Kalanidhi Award Conferred on Violinist R.K. Shriramkumar

The Music Academy, Chennai, has awarded violinist R.K. Shriramkumar its Sangita Kalanidhi award, which is one of the most important honours in the world of Carnatic classical music and represents an excellent contribution to the art form, in the year 2025. Shriramkumar, who has a celebrated career as a violin master and an accompanist in the life of legendary artists, is a disciple of the famous Rudrapatnam musical lineage and renowned due to his knowledge of Carnatic music. The award will be given at the annual conference and concerts of the Academy, where he will also be the chairman of musical sessions.

What is the Sangita Kalanidhi Award

• The greatest honour of Carnatic music is called Sangita Kalanidhi, and it is announced once a year by the Carnatic Academy of Music, Chennai.

• The title was established in 1942 so as to formally honour exceptional musicians who have contributed to the Carnatic tradition in a notable way.

• Recipients are normally great performers, scholars or teachers who have contributed greatness and influence to Carnatic music over a long period of time.

• The award is a gold medal and citation (birudu patra) awarded at the Academy music season concerts every year.

• It has frequently been awarded a cash prize since 2005 that is accompanied by the title.

• The winners of the awards chair at the annual conference and performances at the Academy of Music.

Who is Violinist R.K. Shriramkumar

• R.K. Shriramkumar is a famous Carnatic violinist and company who is praised for mastering the violin technique in the South Indian classical style.

• He is of the famous Rudrapatnam family of musicians of great musical tradition.

• Shriramkumar has performed with such legendary personalities as Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, M.S. Subbulakshmi, D.K. Pattammal, and T.M. Krishna.

• He is well known to be the expert of Sangita Sampradaya Pradarsini, which is one of the important collections of compositions of Muthuswami Dikshitar.

• He has won many awards throughout his career, with the most notable of them being the Sangita Kalanidhi award of 2025, awarded by The Music Academy, Chennai.

Important Expected Questions About the Famous Violinist

Q1. Which Carnatic vocalist is known as the “Nightingale of South India” and was awarded the Bharat Ratna?

A. D.K. Pattammal
B. M.S. Subbulakshmi
C. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer
D. M. Krishna

Answer: B. M.S. Subbulakshmi
Explanation: M.S. Subbulakshmi, renowned for her emotive voice and global performances, was the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna in 1998.

Q2. Which violinist was awarded the Padma Bhushan for contributions to Carnatic music and is known for fusion collaborations with Western music?

A. T. N. Krishnan
B. L. Subramaniam
C. N. Bhaskar
D. S. Gopalakrishnan

Answer: B. L. Subramaniam
Explanation: L. Subramaniam blends Carnatic, Western classical, and fusion music, earning the Padma Bhushan in 2007.

Q3. Who was the first female musician to be awarded the Sangita Kalanidhi by The Music Academy?

A. D.K. Pattammal
B. M.S. Sheela
C. Sudha Raghunathan
D. Aruna Sairam

Answer: A. D.K. Pattammal
Explanation: D.K. Pattammal, known for her powerful voice and expertise in complex kritis, was the first female Sangita Kalanidhi recipient in 1962.

Q4. Which percussionist was conferred the Sangita Kalanidhi award for his mastery of the mridangam?

A. Palghat Mani Iyer
B. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman
C. T.V. Gopalakrishnan
D. Both A and B

Answer: D. Both A and B
Explanation: Legendary mridangam players Palghat Mani Iyer and Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman were awarded Sangita Kalanidhi for their contribution to Carnatic percussion.

Q5. Who among the following Carnatic musicians received the Padma Vibhushan for lifetime contribution?

A. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer
B. M.S. Subbulakshmi
C. L. Subramaniam
D. N. Krishnan

Answer: A. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer
Explanation: Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, called the Pitamaha of Carnatic Music, received the Padma Vibhushan for his decades of contribution to Carnatic vocals.

Q6. Which female Carnatic vocalist received the Sangita Kalanidhi in 2010 and is renowned for innovative interpretations of kritis?

A. Sudha Raghunathan
B. Aruna Sairam
C. L. Vasanthakumari
D. T.K. Govinda Rao

Answer: B. Aruna Sairam
Explanation: Aruna Sairam is celebrated for her expansive vocal range and creative improvisations, earning the Sangita Kalanidhi in 2010.

Q7. T.N. Krishnan, a legendary violinist, was honoured with which of the following awards

A. Padma Shri
B. Padma Bhushan
C. Padma Vibhushan
D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: T.N. Krishnan received Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan for his contributions to Carnatic violin over the decades.

Q8. M.L. Vasanthakumari, a prominent Carnatic vocalist, was a disciple of which legendary musician?

A. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer
B. Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar
C. S. Subbulakshmi
D. D.K. Pattammal

Answer: B. Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar
Explanation: She trained under Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, inheriting the Ariyakudi style of concert rendition.

Q9. Who among these musicians is known as the “King of Mridangam”?

A. Palghat Mani Iyer
B. T.V. Gopalakrishnan
C. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman
D. Ramnad V. Raghavan

Answer: A. Palghat Mani Iyer
Explanation: Palghat Mani Iyer is celebrated for revolutionising mridangam accompaniment in Carnatic concerts, earning the title “King of Mridangam”.

Q10. L. Subramaniam’s unique contribution to music is primarily in:

A. Vocal Carnatic music
B. Violin fusion between Carnatic, Western classical, and global music
C. Percussion innovations
D. Composition of kritis only

Answer: B. Violin fusion between Carnatic, Western classical, and global music
Explanation: L. Subramaniam is renowned for global collaborations, blending violin traditions across genres.

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Conclusion (Sangita Kalanidhi Award)

The Sangita Kalanidhi Award is the highest honour in Carnatic music; it is one of the rewards that a musician receives by his/her contribution, mastery, and dedication to his/her music. It glorifies custom, superiority and innovation, inspiring the generations to come without diminishing the rich musical legacy in South India and enhancing the continuity of culture as witnessed all over the world.