— Photos: S. Subramanium
PLACE IN THE HALL OF FAME: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam honours Carnatic musician Balamuralikrishna with a place in the Indian Music Academy Hall of Fame, at a function in New Delhi on Monday to mark the second year of the Indian Music Academy. Being honoured similarly are: playback singer Asha Bhonsle; music composer Ilayaraja; and classical singer Girija Devi.
NEW DELHI: Evergreen melody queen Asha Bhonsle and music composer Illayaraja were among five persons honoured by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Monday with the prestigious Indian Music Academy awards.
The 73-year-old Bhonsle received the award from Mr. Kalam at a function organised here during which Illayaraja, vocalist Balamuralikrishna and Hindustani singer Girija Devi were also honoured.
The 84-year-old sarod maestro, Ali Akbar Khan, who was also selected for the award, could not make it to the function owing to ill health.
"I feel that the nation has a tremendous potential in music and performing arts. Particularly our north-eastern States have unique talent in music and dance," the President said.
The President said he was working with the Department of Culture for mobilising students from various performing arts institutions to give performances at correction homes, prisons, orphanages and schools for special children.
"To enable organisation of such performances, the Rashtrapati Bhavan will provide Rs 10 lakh'' and a mechanism would be worked out for the formation of a trust which could be entrusted with this noble mission, he said.
Musical garden
Mr. Kalam said the Rashtrapati Bhavan was also considering opening up of the musical garden on certain days when artistes can perform in the backdrop of a musical fountain.
When a physically or visually challenged person derives happiness by singing for others, it becomes the most important aspect of music, Mr. Kalam said giving two examples to illustrate his point.
The first was when a visually challenged woman sang before receiving a Sangeet Natak Akademi award from him in 2005.
On the other occasion, the President said, he was astounded by the cheerfulness of an award-winning musician with no hands or legs who sang for him at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
"In this unique case, I have seen music has removed the pain of a physical challenge," said Mr. Kalam. — PTI