Mysuru: Vid. Mysore A. Chandan Kumar was conferred with ‘21st Thureeyam Keerthi Mudhra Puraskaram,’ one of India’s most prestigious honours in the field of Indian classical music, by Pujya Swami Krishnananda Bharathi and legendary flute maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia during the prestigious Thureeyam Annual Music Festival at Payyanur,  Keralam, recently.

The inaugural award was presented to Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar and subsequent recipients include violin maestro Dr. T. N. Krishnan, flute legend Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, celebrated playback singer Kavita Krishnamurti, Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and several other luminaries who have made extraordinary contributions to India’s musical heritage.

Instituted as part of the Thureeyam Music Festival, the award recognises musicians who have made outstanding and enduring contributions to Indian classical music. Conceived by Swami Krishnananda Bharathi, the festival is renowned for presenting music as a spiritual offering rather than commercial entertainment. Its unique format of marathon concerts over several weeks, featuring eminent artistes from both the Karnatak and Hindustani traditions, has earned it a place among India’s most respected classical music festivals.