Artistes honoured by Rasika Ranjani Sabha Foundation

Several artistes were honoured at the Annual Awards 2026 of the Rasika Ranjani Sabha Foundation here on Friday.

Veteran musician and mridangam maestro T.V. Gopalakrishnan received the ‘Kala Sagara Ratna’ award and mridangam exponent Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam was presented with the ‘Kala Ratna’ award.

Namasankeerthanam exponent Udayalur K. Kalyanaraman received the ‘Sanatana Ratna’ award; Odissi dancer-guru Aruna Mohanty the ‘Nritya Kala Ratna’ award; veteran Tamil theatre director Kudanthai Mali the ‘Kala Seva Ratna’ award; musician Amrutha Venkatesh the ‘Yuva Kala Ratna’ award; and Bharatanatyam exponent Vaidehi Harish the ‘Nritya Yuva Kala Ratna’.

Former Chief Election Commissioner of India N. Gopalaswami lauded the artistes who received the awards.

Fewer audiences

A.R. Santhanakrishnan, chairman, Rasika Ranjani Sabha Foundation, said the sabhas had been struggling to draw audiences for their concerts. “The youth who come are fewer in number. There is so much distraction and other sources of entertainment. Cities have expanded and travelling is difficult due to traffic congestion,” he added.

Aruna Prabha Ranganathan, director, Rasika Ranjani Sabha Foundation, felicitated the awardees.

Mr. Mali, Mr. Gopalakrishnan, Mr. Bakthavathsalam and Ms. Mohanty also spoke on the occasion.