Dancer couple, singer Lathika win Swaralaya awards

Dancer couple V.P. Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan, and playback singer and music teacher N. Lathika have been selected for this year’s Swaralaya annual awards.

The Dhananjayan couple will receive the Swaralaya Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair Award for their contributions to the performing arts.

The award carries a cash prize of ₹25,000, along with a plaque, citation and shawl. CPI(M) general secretary and former Minister for Cultural Affairs M.A. Baby will present the award on December 26 as part of the Swaralaya Samanwayam dance and music festival.

Ms. Lathika will receive the Swaralaya Vijaya Jayaraj Award, instituted by B. Jayaraj in memory of his late wife Vijaya Jayaraj. The award recognises distinguished singers and carries a cash prize of ₹25,000, a plaque, citation and shawl. Education Minister N. Samsudheen will present the award on December 28.

A committee comprising Mr. Baby, Kalamandalam Sivan Namboothiri, P.T. Narendra Menon, Mannur Rajakumaranunni, Sudeep Kumar, Appukuttan Swaralayam, N.N. Krishnadas and T.R. Ajayan selected the award winners.

Meanwhile, the Swaralaya Palakkad will organise a day-long musical programme, Dasettan@86, on November 29 to honour playback singer K.J. Yesudas, who has turned 86.

Chance to sing at event

Swaralaya secretary T.R. Ajayan said that nearly 80 singers, including leading playback singers from Keralam, will perform 86 songs sung by Yesudas at the event.

The programme will begin at 10 a.m. at Chembai Memorial Government Music College, Palakkad. Those interested in singing Yesudas songs at the event can contact 98958 03530, 95679 71974 or 94468 30220.