K.A.Viswanathan
Tabla maestro Pandit Ustad Zakir Hussain was conferred the Shanmukhananda National Eminence Award for his Life time achievement by the Shanmukhananda Sabha, Mumbai for his contribution to Hindustani Music.The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 2.5 lakh, a huge brass lamp and a Shawl. Along with him Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash for Sarod, T.S.Pattabhirama Pandit for Carnatic Music and Shri Pavithra Bhat for Bharata Natyam were given Shanmukha Shironmani Award . Dr. V.Shankar, Sabha president presented the awards.
In his address Zakir Hussain said when the Sabha approached him to honour him he said, "I am too small to receive this award and now I am really humbled". From the time a musician takes his instrument, and till his last day he is learning. Every day he is improving. This every musicians should keep it in their mind. "Awards will come on its own if you do well and they should not go behind the awards", Tabla maestro said.
The Sabha president Dr. V. Shankar said that so far 53 artists including today’s have been conferred the Shanmukha Shironmani awards and 19 life time achievement awards
