Milapfest is delighted to report that the National Jury have concluded their deliberations for Milapfest’s National Indian Arts Awards(2016), and have chosen a distinguished list of teachers and young musicians ahead of the glittering presentation ceremony to be held on 20th October in London’s Nehru Centre. This year, there were very high quality nominations from many distinguished teachers; so picking a single winner in each category was a very difficult task.

This year’s Ceremony will also posthumously honour the magnificent contribution of one of the most respected Carnatic Teachers, Smt. Saraswathy Packiarasa, who sadly passed away in July this year, mourned by a great number of her students in England as well as Sri Lanka. Milapfest has decided to honour her memory by establishing a new Senior Scholarship named after her, to be awarded to an outstanding young Carnatic vocalist of England.

This year’s winners are:

Acharya Ratna (Nritya/Dance): Smt. Usha Raghavan

Acharya Ratna (Sangeet/Music): Smt. Shivatharini Sahathevan

Lifetime Achievement Award: Smt. Manorama Prasad

Samyo/Sabrang Musician of the Year: Aditi Subramaniam

Tarang Musician of the Year: Jasprit Rajbans

Yuva Sangeet Ratna: Jasdeep Singh Degun

Additionally, Milapfest is delighted to announce that beginning this year, we have instituted a new International Arts Award to honour the distinguished contribution of an international artist to the cause of promoting and strengthening Indian Arts & Heritage internationally

This years awards with be presided over by Sir Peter Bazelgette, the Chairman of Arts Council England and the ITV group, who will also be presenting the awards to the recipients.

The National Indian Arts Awards, which are now into their second year, honour the best talent in classical Indian music and dance, both nationally and internationally. The awards serve as a way of recognising the dedicated professionals who have worked tirelessly to ensure that their children, as well as local communities, have good opportunities to learn about their arts and heritage through teachings and performances.

We hope that these important awards will significantly contribute towards creating a strong focus on the vital contribution of these eminent arts professionals working inthe field of Indian arts and education and provide recognition and opportunities to expand and strengthen their work in the years to come.

Congratulations to all the winners.

Best wishes,

Prashant Nayak

Executive Director/Milapfest