Mysuru: President of India Droupadi Murmu presented the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2024 to distinguished vocalist and musicologist from Mysuru, Dr. Krishna Vageesh, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to Indian classical music, at a grand ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi recently.

This national accolade underscores a lifetime of artistic excellence rooted in the historic Tiger Varadacharya School.

Born into a culturally vibrant environment in Mysuru, deeply intertwined with music and Sanskrit traditions, Dr. Vageesh received his foundational musical guidance from his maternal aunt, Vid. H.S. Mahalakshmi. His rigorous upbringing laid the groundwork for an illustrious career that spans concert stages, national institutional leadership and pioneering research.

His doctoral thesis titled ‘the aspects of mantra, tantra, yantra and agama in Muthuswami Deekshithar’s compositions’ reflects his profound exploration of the spiritual and philosophical scaffolding of Karnatak classical systems. His doctoral work was under the guidance of the legendary violin maestro T.N. Krishnan.

Celebrating this milestone, the Management of the Sarada Vilas Group of Institutions extended their congratulations to Dr. Vageesh, noting with immense pride that he remains one of the most distinguished members of their educational society.

Decades of cultural leadership at AIR

Alongside his performance career, Dr. Vageesh dedicated more than 34 years to All India Radio (AIR), serving as Station Director at AIR Trichy and retiring as Deputy Director General (Music and Archives).

He shaped public music programming, spearheaded archiving initiatives and composed original varnams, kritis and tillanas. His innovative radio features have won numerous Akashvani Annual Awards.

Global Ambassador of Indian Art

Dr. Vageesh has regularly represented Indian music on the global stage through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), while at home organising massive akhanda ganayagnams and lecture-demonstrations.

His new national honour adds to list of lifetime achievements, which includes: Best Vocalist Award from the Music Academy, Chennai, Karnataka Kalashri, Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi Award, Asthana Vidwan of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Ganakala Bhushana, Maharajapuram Santhanam Award and Purandara Puraskaram.