New Delhi, Apr 24 (PTI) Celebrating legacy, memory and excellence, the 13th edition of the Sur Jyotsna National Music Awards was held in the capital on Friday, where veteran Hindustani vocalists Sumitra Guha and Pandit Laxman Krishnarao Pandit were honoured for their contribution to Indian classical music.
Speaking at the event, Lokmat Media Group editorial board chairman Vijay Darda said, “Music brings you closer to another realm. When you connect your life with music, you attain a sense of eternal and spiritual peace. Our country’s classical music has a soul that takes us closer to God.” Recalling his late wife Jyotsna Darda, he said she remained deeply connected to music even in her final days and inspired the idea of creating a platform for young musicians.
Instituted in memory of Jyotsna Darda, the founder of Lokmat Sakhi Manch and a music enthusiast, the awards recognise excellence in Indian music while also encouraging promising talents each year through a separate selection of emerging artistes from vocal and instrumental streams.
At the ceremony held at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, Padma Shri awardee Sumitra Guha, a leading exponent of the Kirana gharana, and Gwalior-gharana veteran Pandit Laxman Krishnarao Pandit were felicitated.
The event began and concluded with a performance by singer Kailash Kher and his band.
Guha, originally from Andhra Pradesh and based in Mumbai, is known for her deeply emotive and spiritual style, blending Carnatic roots with Hindustani classical traditions. She was conferred the Padma Shri in 2010 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2020, and is also a senior artist of the All India Radio.
Pandit Laxman Krishnarao Pandit, born on March 5, 1934, is among the senior-most exponents of the Gwalior gharana and represents a musical lineage spanning five generations.
Recalling his early days, the maestro said at the event, “I used to sit near Connaught Place as I did not know the city well and would do ‘riyaaz’ there. I felt like I would die if I did not practise. A police constable once asked me what noises I was making, and I introduced him to music.” The awards this year were held across nine cities including Nagpur, Yavatmal, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Kolhapur, Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru and New Delhi, aiming to celebrate diverse musical traditions and reach wider audiences. “In every city we celebrated their music and musicians,” Darda said.
Among those present were Union ministers Ramdas Athawale and Shripad Naik, Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, spiritual leader Lokesh Muni, Punjab Kesari Group chairperson Kiran Chopra and Rajya Sabha member Kartikeya Sharma, among others.
The event highlighted a blend of remembrance and reverence, honouring veteran excellence while pledging support for the next generation of musicians. PTI SGV ARB ARB
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.