The prestigeous 'Akademi' awards for performing arts are announced for the year 2008.

In the field of Carnatic music B. Sasi Kumar (Violin) and Mannargudi A. Easwaran (Mridangam) have been selected for Akademi Puraskar award this among perfoming artistes of other forms of music.

Dancer couple Vasanta Lakshmi and Narasimhachari have been jointly awarded for Kuchipudi. Saroja Vaidyanathan for Bharatanatyam, Kalamandalam Leelamma for Mohiniattam Kalamandalam Kuttan for Kathakali are among the dancers who receive the award for the year 2008.

Akademi Puraskar carries cash award of Rs.50,000/- besides a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.

For details of all the awardees in the field of music, dance, theatre and folk arts, check the Akademi's website - www.sangeetnatak.org .