Mridangam exponent Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman was conferred ‘The Living Legend’ award by the Rotary Club of Madras, T. Nagar, on Thursday.
Governor K. Rosaiah, who presented the award, said the greatness of an artiste lies in not just his performances but also in taking it to the younger generation.
“He has trained hundreds of students in India and abroad, explaining the nuances and techniques of music to his disciples. It is befitting to honour this great legend with such an award,” he said.
In a career spanning over 68 years, the mridangam exponent had established a style of his own and carved a niche in the field of music covering the entire gamut of percussion music, the governor said.
Mr. Sivaraman said music kept him young and energetic. “It has been nearly 69 years since I began playing the mridangam. Music gives me the spiritual energy to pursue this passion,” he said.
N. Murali, co-chairman of Kasturi & Sons Ltd. and president of The Music Academy, said Mr. Sivaraman had accompanied the doyens of Carnatic music and also younger artistes.
