To celebrate the creative spirit of its Founder President, Shri Aditya Vikram Birla and in his memory, the Sangit Kala Kendra has instituted Awards that recognise excellence in the performing arts, with this year’s award going to renowned santoor player Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma.

These awards - Aditya Vikram Birla Kalashikhar Puraskar and the Aditya Vikram Birla Kalakiran Puraskars are conferred annually – the former on an extraordinary artist in a specific field and the latter on younger artists who have the potential to make it to the top.

Says Mrs. Rajashree Birla, President of the Sangit Kala Kendra “We have a renowned panel of judges who name the winners. This year the panel comprised of Pandit Shri Ajoy Chakrabarty, Pandit Shri Suresh Talwalkar, Pandit Shri Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Pandit Shri Shankar Abhyankar. They have chosen Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma the santoor maestro and a living legend for the Aditya Vikram Birla Kalashikhar Puraskar, recognising his lifetime achievement in instrumental music. Shri Satyajit Talwalkar (tabla), Shri Murad Ali Khan (Sarangi) and Shri Sanjeev Shankar and Ashwani Shankar  (Shehnai) have been named for the Aditya Vikram Birla Kalakiran Puraskars”.

The Sangit Kala Kendra has programmed the 19^th Anniversary celebrations of these prestigious awards on the 7^th of November 2015, in Mumbai. The Awards will be presented by Shri Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, the Honourable Governor of Maharashtra.

Photos by Verus Ferreira