NEW DELHI: Nanjiyamma became the pride of Malayalam by receiving the National Award for best singer. The audience burst into cheers as soon as Nanjiyamma's name was read out for the award at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. They rose to their feet as Nanjiyamma received the award from President Droupadi Murmu. Nanjiyamma received the award wearing a smile.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur described Nanjiyamma's award as a proud achievement. During his welcome speech, he said that he was very happy to know that Nanjiyamma is a folk singer from a small tribal group in Kerala. Nanjiyamma won the national award for the song in the film 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum' directed by the late Sachi.