(Pervez Bari) The national awards instituted by the Madhya Pradesh Government were presented to luminaries at a glittering function here by Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Mr. Laxmikant Sharma at Ravindra Bhavan on Monday.
Speaking at the investiture ceremony Mr. Laxmikant Sharma said that the government is feeling honoured by honouring stalwarts of art and culture. He said that besides incepting Agrasen Samman and Chandrashekhar Samman, the State Government has also increased the number of top awards from 3 to 7.
Glimpses of India from the prehistoric to present era will be displayed at Veer Bharat Complex to be built at Bhopal. Adding a Gurukul to it will also be considered. It will be the best centre of the country, he added.
Of the awards for the year 2008-09, Mr. Sharma bestowed Kabeer Samman to famous Marathi poet Mr. Mangesh Padgaonkar, Maithilisharan Gupta Samman to famous writer and critic Mr. Ramesh Chandra Shah, Iqbal Samman to top Urdu litterateur Mr. Gopichand Narang and Sharad Joshi Samman to famous satirist Mr. K.P. Saxena
Similarly, National Kalidas Award was bestowed upon famous singer Pandit Chhannulal Mishra in classical singing, top Kathakali exponent Mr. Kalamandalam Gopi in classical dance and famous painter Mr. Jairam Patel in fine arts. The award for Mr. Jairam Patel was received by his representative in his absence. Tulsi Award, which is conferred on male folk artiste was given away to terracotta artist Mr. Rangaswamy Veddar and Ahilya Award was given away to famous Kalbelia dance exponent Ms Gulabo.
The Culture Minister gave away National Kalidas Awards for year 2009-10 to famous violinist Dr. N. Rajam, Bharat Natyam exponent Ms Saroja Vaidyanathan and famous painter Mr. Krishna Kanhai. Apart from cash, the awards also carry honour plaques, shawls and shriphal. Kabeer Samman carries Rs. 3 lakh and other awards Rs. 2 lakh each with honour plaque, shawl and shriphal.
After the award ceremony, Dr. N. Rajam rendered a violin presentation followed by vocal recital by Pandit Chhannulal Mishra. Culture Minister Mr. Sharma also went round an exhibition displaying paintings of Mr. Jairam Patel, Mr. Krishna Kanhai and Mr. Rangaswami Veddar at the Swaraj Arts Gallery.
Dr. N. Rajam from Thane lauded the efforts being made by Madhya Pradesh government in the sphere of culture. Mr. K.P. Saxena evoked laughter through his humorous and satirical poems. Principal Secretary Culture Mr. Vinod Semwal, Director Mr. Shriram Tiwari, other offices and enlightened art and music lovers were present on the occasion. (pervezbari@eth.net)