Nadaswaram maestro Thiruvizha Jayashankar wins Harivarasanam Award

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister V N Vasavan has announced that renowned nadaswaram maestro Thiruvizha Jayashankar has been selected for the state government’s Harivarasanam Award.

The award, which includes a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, a citation, and a plaque, will be presented at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam on the day of Makaravilakku. The honour is being given in recognition of Jayashankar’s efforts to popularise the nadaswaram and for his valuable contributions to devotional music.

The selection was made by a committee comprising Devaswom Secretary M. G. Rajamanikyam, Travancore Devaswom Board Commissioner B. Sunilkumar, and Prof. Palkulangara K. Ambikadevi.

Jayashankar completed his Ganabhushanam diploma from RLV College, Tripunithura, in 1960. He was senior to noted singer K. J. Yesudas during his studies. In 1962, he obtained a degree in music from Chittur Government College and later passed the Ganapravina course from the Swathi Thirunal Music College, Thiruvananthapuram. He later became a disciple of legendary musician Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer.

He joined All India Radio as an announcer in 1965. In 1990, he was honoured with the Kalaimamani Award by the Tamil Nadu government. He has also received several other honours, including the Isai Peraringar Award from the Tamil Manram, awards from the Central and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademies, the Guruvayur Award, and the Sangeetha Sampoorna Award. In 2021, he received the Chembai Memorial Award.

Apart from music, Thiruvizha Jayashankar is also known as a painter who visualises music through art. He has created paintings based on seven ragas, ranging from Bhoopalam to Neelambari.