The Swathi Ratna award, instituted by The Malayalee Club in Chennai was presented to artiste and guru, T. V. Gopalakrishnan this week. TVG, as he is popularly known, dedicated the award to the memory of his guru, the late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar. The award consisted of a brilliantly crafted `Aranmula Kannadi' (mirror), a citation and Rs. 20,000.

The award was presented by princess of Travancore H.H. Pooyam Thirunal Gowri Parvathy Bayi. She said Gopalakrishnan was a worthy recipient with his proficiency in various genres of music as well as his wholehearted encouragement of up and coming musicians. She said the royal composer and her ancestor, Swathi Thirunal, also regarded music as without barriers and liberally encouraged artistes from all over the country.

The managing director of The Hindu and The Music Academy president, N. Murali said Gopalakrishnan as a versatile genius who dared to invent and innovate even while remaining secure in the tradition of Carnatic music.

The five-day music and dance festival hosted by the Club featured various artistes including eminent dancers and musicians