Hindustani vocalist Venkatesh Kumar will be conferred the Sri Puttaraj Gawai Award and and Hindustani vocalist from Shivamogga R.B. Sangameshwar Gawai the Gaanayogi Panchakshari Award in recognition of their contribution to the field of music.

The awards for 2017, instituted by Ballari-based Sri Puttaraj Kavi Gawaigala Seva Sangha, will be presented at the Dr. Joladarashi Doddanagouda Rangamandir here on Thursday at 6 p.m. to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Hangal Kumarswamyji, the 125th birth anniversary of Panchakshari Gawai and the 103 birth anniversary of Puttaraj Gawai. Briefing presspersons here on Monday, Mrutyunjaya Bandral, president of the sangha, said that the awards comprises a purse of ₹ 25,000 and ₹ 11,000, citations, shawls, respectively. The cash awards are sponsored by N. Suryanarayan Reddy, granite exporter and Congress leader, and Allum Vinayak.

A host of swamijis of various religious mutts, including Chandrashekar Shivacharya Bhagwatpada of Kashi Peetha, Varanasi, one of the pancha peetas, will grace the occasion.

Allum Doddappa, former president of Veerashaiva Vidyavardhak Sangha, will preside over the function. Venkatesh Kumar will perform after the function.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Ballari – March 21st, 2017