One of the leading social and cultural organisations of Mumbai, Fine Arts Society in Chembur, felicitated outstanding women achievers for the year 2020 and 2022 at their beautiful auditorium on Saturday 12^th March 2022 to celebrate the International Women's Day (8^th March ).

The FAS Stree Ratna Award was presented to outstanding women achievers in varied fields that included classical music and dance. The award was presented to the recipients by the chairman board of trustees, R Radhakrishnan, chairman emeritus, G G Bharathan and president of the managing committee, Radhika Ananthkumar.

The FAS Stree Ratna award winners for the year 2020 are actress Dr B Saroja Devi, Bharata Natyam exponent Shanta Dhananjayan, carnatic musician Dr S. Soumya, scientist Dr Tessy Thomas, Director of GG Hospital Dr Kamala Selvaraj, president of Bank of America Kaku Nakhate and entrepreneur Ashu Suyash.

The winners for the year 2022 are veteran Hindustani music vocalist Dr Prabha Atre, veteran violinist Dr N Rajam, Kuchipudi and Bharata Natyam exponent Dr Mallika Sarabhai and MD of Multiples Alternate Asset Management Pvt Ltd - Nithya Easwaran. The guest of honour was entrepreneur Dr Sujata Seshadrinathan. The programme was sponsored by Basiz Fund Services.

Veteran vocalist Dr Prabha Atre said “It is my sadhana (devotion) for music that kept me going for so long and the consistent love of the rasikas, keeps me on at the age of 90".

Distinguished Bharata Natyam exponent Shanta Dhananjayan said "It has always been a joint effort both on stage and off stage, hence I share this award with my husband Dhananjayan"

Chairman Radhakrishnan said "During the royal days of Kings, the arts were patronized by the Kings but now we always seek the support of the corporate world without which we are unable to organize any programme, hence their support is really vital for us".

Dr Kamala Selvaraj raised a vital point in her brief speech, she said "It is always the women who are blamed for infertility, men do not realise that they could be infertile too, In a recent case a man approached me, complaining about the two women in his life, without realizing that he was infertile but such problems can be taken care of".

The programme concluded with a grand tribute performance in Bharata Natyam style by accomplished exponent from Chennai, Srekala Bharath, "Mahila Mahima" interpreting the contribution by outstanding women of Indian history.

By Guru Vijay Shanker