The 29th edition of the prestigious Sangit Kala Kendra Awards recently illuminated Mumbai, bringing together the pinnacle of India's artistic community. The glittering ceremony served as a heartfelt tribute to the institution's visionary founder, Aditya Vikram Birla, while celebrating contemporary excellence in Indian classical music.
A Legacy of Values and Artistic Triumph
Addressing the august gathering, Rajashree Birla, President of Sangit Kala Kendra, traced the genesis of the institution in her welcome address. She stirred beautiful memories associated with the annual awards. The evening traditionally pays homage to the beloved founder, the legendary Aditya Vikram Birla.
Sharing snatches of his philosophy, she quoted thoughts expressed by her son, Kumar Mangalam Birla. "There is so much one can learn from his life. That you can be successful without having to negotiate on your values and principles, and on your own terms," she stated. The philosophy emphasized hard work, passion, unfailing commitment, and living life to the fullest—balancing undivided focus at work with unbridled passion in play.
Rajashree Birla expressed a profound personal sentiment, feeling that Adityaji's aura and legacy never truly departed. His desire to live life fully as a complete karmayogi remains the rock-solid principle at the core of Sangit Kala Kendra. Kumar Mangalam Birla graced the occasion, adding to the familial and institutional significance of the event.
Celebrating Musical Excellence with Premier Awards
This year's focus was squarely on Indian classical music. The ceremony was graced by Padma Bhushan Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty as the Chief Guest. The selection process was overseen by a distinguished jury chaired by the renowned Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar. Other esteemed jury members included Pandit Venkatesh Kumar, Vidushi Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, Kavita Krishnamurthy Subramaniam, and Devaki Pandit.
The highlight of the awards was the conferral of the coveted Aditya Vikram Birla Kala Shikhar Puraskar, the institution's premier award. Rajashree Birla presented this top honor to Padma Bhushan Vidushi Begum Parween Sultana. The award recognized the versatile genius of Begum Parween Sultana, who is celebrated for her creativity across genres, from pure Indian classical to film music.
In addition, the Aditya Vikram Birla Kala Kiran Puraskar was bestowed upon the promising talents Sammehan Kashalkar, Kumari Ankita Joshi, and Sagar Morankar. For over twenty-five years, these awards have borne testimony to the evolution and tremendous growth of the performing arts in India.
A Night of Stellar Performances and Lasting Memories
The high-voltage evening saw the crème de la crème of Maximum City in full attendance. The audience was treated to spectacular performances that had them on their feet, screaming for an encore. The star-studded lineup included legendary actress Rekha, playback singing sensation Shreya Ghoshal, celebrated dancer Aditi Mangaldas, and multi-instrumentalist Raghav Sachar.
The Sangit Kala Kendra Awards have consistently immortalized glorious moments, celebrating the memory of its founder. The event joined the ranks of previous ceremonies that honored luminaries such as Lata Mangeshkar, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Naseeruddin Shah, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pt Shivkumar Sharma, Pt Vijay Raghav Rao, and Pt Ram Narayan. The 29th edition successfully continued this legacy, blending reverence for the past with a vibrant celebration of the present and future of Indian arts.
