Tamil Nadu eminent personalities honoured with Padma Awards
Tamil Nadu eminent personalities honoured with
Padma Awards
This year’s Republic Day witnessed eight eminent personalities from Tamil Nadu honoured with Padma awards for their distinguished contributions in their respective field.
This year, a total of 132 individuals were chosen across three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
The Padma Vibhushan was
awarded to Bharathanatyam exponent and film actress 91 year old Vyjayanthimala Bali for her exceptional and distinguished service along with guru Padma Subrahmanyam. The Padma Bhushan, recognising distinguished service of high order, was also posthumously bestowed upon actor-turned-politician Vijayakant for his contributions in the field of art.
Vyjayanthimala Bali, a celebrated figure in Indian cinema and classical dance, has been a prominent name since the 1950s and 60s. She had done her schooling at Sacred Heart Church Park Convent in Chennai. Her illustrious career spans across Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films, where she left an indelible mark with her versatile acting.
Apart from her cinematic achievements, Vyjayanthimala is a distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer.
Remarkably, she had performed for the Pope at the tender age of five, foreshadowing the brilliance that defined her artistic journey. The multifaceted artist, who later ventured into politics as a Member of Parliament in both houses, has now been honoured with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan Award, a testament to her enduring impact on Indian arts and culture.
After her marriage to
Dr Chamanlal Bali, Vyjayanthimala chose to step back from acting, dedicating herself to her family and son, Suchindra.
Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, 81 year old, Chennai based emerged as a rare gem in the world of Bharatanatyam. A multifaceted personality, she is revered as a flawless dancer, choreographer, music composer, singer, research scholar, teacher, and author.
Her father, K. Subramanyam, a renowned director and freedom fighter, and her mother, Smt Meenakshi Subramanyam, a prolific artist, laid the foundation for her artistic journey.
As of now serving as the director of “Nrutyodaya,” a dance school founded by her father in 1942, Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam’s impact extends beyond her exceptional performances.
Trained by Guru Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai, she conducted her Arangetram in 1956 and went on to captivate global audiences with numerous performances.
As a research scholar,
Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam holds a doctorate for her research on the oldest dance system. Her thesis on “Karanas in Indian dance and sculpture” emphasises that the 108 Karanas are not merely static poses but dynamic movements. Notably, she played a pivotal role in introducing “Pushpanjali” as a dance piece, performed annually at the Chidambaram Natarajar Temple with the participation of dancers.
Beyond her dance accomplishments, Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam designed sculptures depicting the Karanas of Lord Shiva and Parvati, housed in the Nataraja Temple at Satara, Maharashtra.
In a poignant recognition of his significant contributions to Tamil cinema and politics, the late film actor and founder of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), Vijayakanth, was posthumously honoured with the Padma Bhushan. Vijayakanth, born Narayanan Vijayaraj Alagaraswami, passed away on December 28th last year at 75.
Known for his screen name Vijayakanth, he appeared in over 150 films and held the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly from May 2011 to February 2016. Referred to as ‘Karuppu MGR’ or ‘Black MGR’ for his benevolent nature, Vijayakanth received the Kalaimamani award in 2001, the highest civilian honor in Tamil Nadu. The Padma Bhushan, a testament to his remarkable legacy, recognises his impact on both the cinematic and political landscapes.
In a noteworthy announcement, six individuals from diverse backgrounds have been named as recipients of the prestigious Padma Shri Awards for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Dr Nachiyar, a pioneering figure in the medical field, was recognised for her distinguished contribution and service to medicine. As one of the founding members of the Arvind Eye Hospital, which commenced its journey with a humble 12 beds in 1976,
Dr. Nachiyar played a crucial role in transforming it into a network of eye hospitals. Focused on providing affordable and often free eye care to the less privileged, the hospital has conducted numerous eye surgeries, contributing significantly to the fight against cataract-related blindness in India. Her efforts extend beyond hospital walls, with active involvement in government projects aimed at combating blindness.
M. Badrappan, 87 year old, a folklore artist from Coimbatore, was bestowed with the Padma Shri for his dedication to preserving and propagating traditional art forms. Intrigued by a performance he witnessed in his early twenties, Badrappan delved into the intricate world of Harichandra Kummi, a form of rhythmic dance. Despite being a school dropout and a farmer by necessity, he mastered Valli Oyil Kummi, showcasing Lord Murugan and his consort Valli. Badrappan’s commitment to the art form has extended to training over 200 Valli Kummi gurus, breaking gender norms by teaching women, who traditionally performed Vatta kummi.
Joshna Chinnappa, 28 year old stands as one of India’s leading squash prodigy. A former national champion, she has achieved remarkable success, including winning a gold medal in the doubles category at the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Notably, in 2018, she secured a silver medal in the women’s doubles event at the Commonwealth Games. In recognition of her prowess, the Tamil Nadu government appointed her as a senior sports officer of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) in 2017. Joshna’s recent accomplishments includes winning the World Squash Women’s Doubles Championship in Glasgow in April 2022, for which the TN government awarded her a cash prize of seventy-five lakh rupees.
A Sahitya Akademi award-winning Tamil writer, novelist, and documentary film director, Joe D’Cruz is acclaimed for his literary contributions and community service. As the Tamil Nadu state president of Samskrita Bharati and a management executive in a shipping company, D’Cruz has made significant strides in both literature and social initiatives. His novels, “Korkai” and “Aazhi Soozh Ulagu,” delve into the history and lives of the Parathavar fishermen of Tamil Nadu, earning him prestigious awards. Known for extensive work with coastal communities, D’Cruz is recognised as a pride of Tamil Nadu.
In a noteworthy recognition of his exceptional contribution to the realm of classical music, Nagaswaram maestro
T Sivalingam was conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri Award for the year 2024. Widely acknowledged as a doyen in the field of ‘Nadaswaram,’ Seshampatti Sivalingam has left an indelible mark on the world of Carnatic classical music.
As an ‘A’ grade artist with All India Radio, Sivalingam’s melodic prowess has resonated across the globe through numerous concerts and solo performances. The recipient of the ‘Kalaimamani’ Award, the highest civilian honor in Tamil Nadu, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, he has been a formidable ambassador of South Indian Classical Music.
Sivalingam’s dedication to preserving the sacred tradition of Nagaswaram is exemplified in his role as a mentor, passing on the art form to future generations through his disciples. The Padma Shri 2024 adds another illustrious accolade to his distinguished musical journey.
News Edit K.V.Raman
