Mangalore : Sadguru Sangeetha Patashala in association with Pallavi Classical organized a ‘Mangalore Festival’ at Subramanya Sabha, Karangalpady on Dec 25, Tuesday.

On the occasion, mridangam artist Vidhwan Ramesh B Suratkal was conferred with ‘Pallavi Award’, comprising of shawl, memento, cash amount and a citation.

After receiving an award, he said that he was surprised and happy to receive the award, since he was a small mridangam artist who would accompany many great singers in the classical music concerts.

Presiding over the function, P Jayaram Bhat, managing director, Karnataka Bank said that the organization has done a great job by identifying an mridangam artist and honouring him.

He said that it is necessary to encourage the classical instruments like mridangam, since it is the instrument which brings flavor in the classical music.

D S Seethaprajna Shrungeri and B Manoj Rao was conferred with the Prathibha Puraskar awards.

Ramachandra Rao H V, chief secretary, Kannada Samskrithi and Information department, Bangalore, C S Bhagya, registrar, Karnataka Sangeetha Nruthya Academy, Bangalore, S Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, president, DK District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Deputy Mayor Amithakala, u s Vishnumurthy Rao, president, Nruthyanikethana, Challakere were the chief guests on the occasion.

The organizers performed the Seetharama Abhisheka and Kalyanotsava, which depicted the marriage ceremony of Lord Ram and Goddess Seetha.