The Raagalaya Music Award 2010 was dedicated to the late Music Director M G Radhakrishnan. The event took place
on February 27 at the Shanmukhananda Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Auditorium. Mrs Padmaja Radhakrishnan received it on his
behalf. She was given the Cash prize of Rs 25,000/ and Lifetime Achievement Trophy by NR K Pillai, CMD, Aiswarya Group of
Publications. She was also felicitated by P K Ravindranath, Consulting Editor of Kerala in Mumbai, with a shawl.
Padmaja Radhakrishnan was accompanied by her son, daughter in law, daughter and son in law. In her speech, Mrs Padmaja said
that she was touched by the trouble Raagalaya had taken to organize a musical programme comprising his songs as a tribute
to her husband. She recalled that 22 years ago she had come to Mumbai with her husband MG Radhakrishnan when he performed
at an Ayyappa Puja celebrations here. It was sad that she had now come with her family to receive an award bestowed on him
when he was not there, she added. Each song brought to her mind memories of her husband and she felt as if he was present
in spirit with her family who were on the stage with her. She added that her husband’s spirit would bless all the singers
of the evening and everyone who was present there.
Just before the felicitation ceremony began, P V Vijaykumar, the founder of Raagalaya and himself a singer, sang an apt song
composed by M G Radhakrishnan,poomukha vaathilkal sneham vidarthunna.
Radhakrishnan’s sister Dr K Omanakutty, Professor of Music was present and she was also felicitated by K I Varghese,
Regional Head of Federal Bank. Dr Omanakutty spoke about her brother and his passion for music. She mentioned in
particular the song Surya kireedam veenudanju rendered by Madhu Balakrishnan, who brought out the exact mood that her
brother wanted to be reflected in that song. Radhakrishnan used to be totally involved in the song that he was composing,
she recollected.
A brief sketch on the musical life of MG Radhakrishnan, his entry into the film music world, his association with Girish
Puthenchery and his memorable film songs were mentioned by Suresh Kumar who is the host of Asianet’s popular
Pattupetti
programme. Suresh Kumar was felicitated by the President of Raagalaya P V Vijaykumar for completing 400 episodes of
Pattupetti.
Suresh Kumar said that he was one of the oldest anchors of Asianet programmes with his
pattupetti quite popular.
He loves the work he is doing and considers it a privilege to have known musical talents like M G Radhakrishnan
and others through this programme.
Madhu Balkrishnan, Radhika Tilak, Preetha Kannan, Radhakrishnan, Ravishankar sang several popular, evegreen and
award winning Malayalam film songs composed by Late M G Radhakrishnan.
Ramesh Pisharody performed a mimicry show and entertained the audience with his humour.
The evening started with a dance performance by students of Geeta Vijayashankar.
The winners of the Raagalaya Music competiton held on January 30, received their prize money and Raagalaya trophies
from the above mentioned playback singers. |
