Pandit M Venkatesh Kumar Honored with State Sangeetha Vidwan Award

Pandit M Venkatesh Kumar, a distinguished figure in Hindustani classical music, has been chosen as the recipient of this year's State Sangeetha Vidwan award, as announced by Shivaraj Tangadagi, Karnataka Minister for Kannada and Culture and Backward Classes Welfare.

This prestigious honor, distributed annually by the Department of Kannada and Culture, will be officially awarded during the 'Nada Habba Dasara' festivities at the Mysuru Palace on September 22. The presentation will be made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, according to a statement by the minister.

Expressing his satisfaction with the selection, Minister Tangadagi lauded Pandit Venkatesh Kumar's exceptional contributions to the field of Hindustani classical music, noting his acclaim both domestically and internationally. The selection was overseen by a committee led by musician Y K Muddukrishna, with the award featuring a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a memento, and a citation.

(With inputs from agencies.)