Republic Day is often associated with the prestigeous Padma Awards. This year, dancers Geetha Chandran, Ananda Shankar Jayant, Thavil Vidwan Valayapatti A. R. Subramaniam and dancer vocalist P. R. Thilagam receive Padma Shri awards.

P.R. Thilagam

A dancer and vocalist, P.R. Thilagam was born in a family with a rich dancing tradition. She started her career in Tiruvarur and later on, performed in various districts in the State and even abroad. One of her memorable performances was in `Thanjavur Kuravanji' styled on the more traditional `Kutrala Kuravanji.'

Valayapatti A.R. Subramaniam -

Popular Tavil vidwan and known as 'Valayapatti' to his fans, has been performing for over five decades. He provides 'special thavil accompaniment to Thiruvizha Jayashankar (nagaswaram) and Kunnakudi R. Vaidyanathan (violin), which are popular.

Geetha Chandran

Geeta chandran who was initiated to dance by Swarna Saraswathy, learnt subsequently from V.Sadasivam and Guru K. N. Dakshinamoorthy. She also studied abhinaya with Jamuna Krishnan and Kalanidhi Narayanan and is presently working with V. Krishnamoorthy.
Geeta chandran has performed in India and abroad.

Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant

Dancer Ananda learnt Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music, Veena, Choreography, Nattuvangam, Philosophy and many more in Kalakshetra, Chennai. She later learnt Kuchipudi from Pasumarthy Ramalinga Sastry. She performs as a soloist in two very renowned classical dance styles Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam.

Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant is also the recipient of 'Nritya Choodamani' from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai.