Gowri Manohari Award

Guru Shri Karaikudi Mani’s Sruthi Laya Kendra gave away the award of Gowri Manohari to Smt. Sudha Ragunathan, this year, on 15 December 2007..

Known for his absolute devotion to his Guru Sri Surajananda, Guru Shri Karaikudi Mani’s day begins with a pooja at his Guru’s Samadhi at Neelankarai. Also, in memory of his late Guru, he organizes a concert on the day of Guru Jayanthi. Sruthi Laya Kendra also conducts a Music Festival during December of every year, which is in homage to Guru Surajananda.

On 15th December, 2007, Sudha Ragunathan received the Gowri Manohari Award from Shri L.Sabaretnam, CEO, India Cements & ICL Sugars. This Award has been instituted by Shri. Naganathasivam   Gurukkal of London Sri Murugan Temple. This year, Sruthi Laya Kendra also honored Shri. R Krishnaswamy, Secretary, Narada Gana Sabha.

The deserving recipients of the awards are chosen in a very unique fashion. Guru Shri Karaikudi Mani first lists the members who have been chosen for their contribution and achievements, whom he would like to honor. He then places the list at the feet of his Guru’s portrait. After prayers, he picks one name in the list and thus the recipient is chosen. Indeed, a true indication of being guided by the divine on the choice! No wonder the recipients deem it a great honor to be the chosen ones for this Award!

Sudha in her speech conveyed her gratitude at having been chosen for the Award, and that she felt truly blessed to be chosen in the manner she was. The Award that has been given with affection and appreciation is a great encouragement and motivator in her quest for greater learning in this infinite ocean of music. She reiterated that implicit faith and trust in God, Guru Bhakti and hard work coupled with dedication and commitment cannot but ensure great knowledge and success at the end. In a moving moment, Sudha, in all humility dedicated the Award to her late Guru Dr.Smt. M.L.Vasantha Kumari, mentioning that her status in the esteem platform of musicians today was solely due to the blessings and learning from her great Guru.

The Award Ceremony was followed by a performance by Shri T R Rajamani, son of the legendary Shri. Palghat Mani Iyer, on the mridangam and accompanied by Shri.Amrith, (disciple of the late Kanjira wizard Shri.Hari Sankar). Words are insufficient to express the sheer beauty and pace of this performance, which simply left the audience spellbound at the mastery of the artistes. Excerpts of the function are available for viewing at www.sudharagunathanfans.com