About Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram: The Honour Vocalist Omanakutty Is Selected For

Only two women have till now been awarded the Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram by the Kerala government. Find out who they are.

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Tanvi Akhauri
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Who is Dr K Omanakutty ,Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram, Dr K Omanakutty

Dr K Omanakutty, Carnatic vocalist and academician, has been selected for the Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram 2020, an honour recognised as Kerala’s highest award to musicians. She is set to receive a certificate, citation and a 20 lakh worth purse for her immense contribution to music.

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Omanakutty is a known figure in the Carnatic music industry as well as Kerala's academic circles. She has a doctorate in research for Kathakali music and heads the University of Kerala's music department. Receiving the honour she has been named for by Kerala Cultural Affairs Minister AK Balan raises her already high repute.

Here's all you need to know about the Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram:

1. The Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram is the highest civilian award in Kerala for contributions to music.

2. The award was instituted in 1997 by the Kerala government, named after Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, the Maharaja of Travancore between 1813-1846.

3. Varma was recognised as a great music composer, with over 400 compositions to his credit. His music, spanning both Carnatic and Hindustani music, has inspired a 10-day festival that takes place every year in Trivandrum.

4. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer received the first award in 1997.

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5. Only one woman, singer Damal Krishnaswamy Pattammal (who won in 1999) had till now been honoured with the Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram. Dr Omanakutty is the second.

6. The Puraskaram today is worth a certificate, citation and a 20 lakh worth purse for the musician awardee.

7. The jury that selected Omanakutty comprised of academicians and scholars of the music industry, including R Harikrishnan, Parassala Ravi, N Mini and Rani George.

8. They said the award is in recognition of Omanakutty’s work with Swathi kritis and her approach to include the young generation in music.