This section lists the names of the awardees for 2003. Take a look at the artistes who are being honoured by the various sabhas in December this year.

Nungambakkam Cultural Academy's awards

Nungambakkam Cultural Academy Trust will hold its annual music festival from December 10, 2003 at the Rama Rao Kala Mantap auditorium. On the inaugural day, the Sironmani awards will be presented to carnatic vocalist K.J. Yesudas, Bharatanatyam dancer Saraswathi and theatre artsite S. Ve. Shekar.

Indian Fine Arts Society

The 71st South Indian Music Conference and festival of The Indian Fine Arts Society will be held from December 17, 2003 to January 4, 2004. On the inaugural day, the title of 'Sangeetha Kalasikhamani' will be conferred on mridangist Guruvayur Dorai and on the concluding day of the fest, the title of 'Natya Kalasikhamani' will be conferred on dance guru Adyar K. Lakshmanan.

Narada Gana Sabha

Narada Gana Sabha, will host its annual music festival from December 14, 2003 to January 2, 2004. Arts scholar Kapila Vatsyayan will inaugurate the festival. Dance guru C.V. Chandrasekhar will be conferred the title, 'Nadhabrahmam' and vidwan Vairamangalam Lakshminarayanan with the 'Senior Musician Award'.

Krishna Gana Sabha

Krishna Gana Sabha will inaugurate its golden jubilee music and dance festival on 12 December 2003. Renowned Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dance duo, M.V. Narasimhachari and Vasanthalakshmi will receive the 'Swarna Jayanthi Nritya Choodamani' award and dance guru N.S. Jayalakshmi will receive the 'Acharya Choodamani' award.

Kartik Fine Arts

Kartik Fine Arts will inaugurate its annual arts festival on December 1, 2003. The inauguration will be held at Narada Gana Sabha's auditorium, TTK Road, Chennai.

Carnatic vocalist Gayatri Girish will receive the 'Isai Peroli' award (a medal, citation and cash component of Rs. 15, 000), Bharatanatyam dancer Kavita Ramu will receive the 'Nadanamamani' award (the award includes a medallion, Rs.15000/- and citation).

The Tamil Isai Festival will be inaugurated on December 26, 2003 at Valliammal College for Women Silver Jubilee hall, Anna Nagar. The award of 'Tamil Isai Vendar' will be presented to well known carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam.

Contact: R. Rajagopal, Secretary, Kartik Fine Arts, 39, Bheemanna Garden Street, Chennai-18. Ph: 24997788. E-mail: kartikfinearts@vsnl.net