Chennai, 17 January (H.S.) : Eminent Carnatic musician Smt Meena Subramanian has been conferred with the prestigious Kovai Subri Muruga Gana Award for her lifetime contribution to the field of classical music. The award was presented by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Coimbatore Kendra, during the inauguration of the 29th Pongal Music Festival held on Monday.

Meena Subramanian, a senior disciple of the legendary Sangeetha Kalanidhi ML Vasanthakumari, was recognized for her exceptional efforts in preserving and promoting the rich traditions of Carnatic music. The ceremony was presided over by Shri NV Nagasubramaniam, Chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, who lauded her phenomenal dedication over the past 50 years.

The award serves as a testament to her outstanding work in imparting musical knowledge to a large student community and her scholarly contributions, including workshops and lecture demonstrations. Meena Subramanian is credited with bringing the distinct MLV bani to the Kongunadu region, enriching the local cultural landscape.

An A-grade artiste of All India Radio, she has performed extensively at major venues globally, including the Royal Albert Hall in London. Her career includes a significant tenure as a staff artiste at All India Radio Coimbatore from 1985 to 2001. Authorities at the event emphasized that her clear diction and mastery over Tamil and Sanskrit have helped her carve a unique niche in the music world.

Along with her, Dr Soumya was also honored for her contributions during the festival. This recognition highlights the ongoing efforts to sustain traditional Indian arts for future generations through mentorship and excellence.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary