Sun Dec 15 17:22:28 UTC 2024: ## Chennai’s Margazhi Mahotsav Honours Top Artists
**CHENNAI, December 15, 2024** – The 36th Margazhi Mahotsav, inaugurated Sunday at Bharat Kalachar in Chennai, celebrated the achievements of numerous artists across various performing arts. Several prestigious awards were presented, recognizing contributions to Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music, and film.
Veteran thavil exponent Haridwaramangalam A.K. Palanivel received the Gnana Kala Bharathi, while the Viswa Kala Bharathi was awarded to Bharatanatyam exponent Shobana Chandrakumar and Carnatic musicians The Malladi Brothers. Other notable recipients included Meenakshi Chitharanjan (Acharya Kala Bharathi), Priya Murle (Kala Seva Bharathi), K.R.S. Kumar (Nadaga Kala Bharathi), and film director Suresh Krissna (K. Balachander Trophy for Artistic Excellence). A number of promising young artists were also honored with the Yuva Kala Bharathi Award.
Minister of State for Petroleum and Tourism Suresh Gopi lauded the Mahotsav as a vital platform for preserving India’s rich cultural heritage. Veteran Bharatanatyam exponent Chitra Visweswaran also spoke, highlighting Bharat Kalachar’s long-standing commitment to the arts. The event featured speeches from several dignitaries, including Y. Gee Mahendra, secretary of Bharat Kalachar.
First Piper 