Three playback singers honoured

Source: The Hindu, March 20, 2005

The Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, presented the Chi. Udayashankar Memorial Award for 2002, 2003 and 2004 to the noted playback singers, P.B. Srinivos, S. Janaki, and S.P. Balasubramanyam respectively here today. 

The award, which is named after the popular lyricist, Chi. Udyashankar, was instituted in 2001 by a forum of Kannada cinema represented by some well-known names, including the managing director of the Karnataka Warehouse Corporation, C. Somashekhar, Pravathamma Rajkumar, Jayanthi, K.S.L. Swamy, K.C.N. Chandrashekhar, Jayamala and S.A. Chinne Gowda. 

Recalling the rich contribution of Udayashankar to Kannada films, Mr. Singh applauded the award committee for conferring `Maadhurya Chakravarthy,' `Swara Saamrajni' and `Vishwagana Yogi' titles on Mr. Srinivos, Ms. Janaki and Mr. Balasubramanyam respectively. 

He announced that the Government will sanction a residential site to Sharada Udayashankar in Bangalore immediately. 

The Minister for Revenue, M.P. Prakash, explained the importance of quality lyrics. 

Reiterating the State Government's commitment to the cause of Kannada cinema, Mr. Prakash said: "The Chief Minister and our leader will look into all the problems of Kannada film industry and provide solutions." 

Responding to the honour, Mr. Srinivos said he wished "all destructive weapons should become musical instruments and peace be the language of human hearts." 

Ms. Janaki said that the Udayashankar Award is more heartening than any other awards she has received. 

Mr. Balasubramanayam said: "This is a rare honour for us. None of us is either a Kanandiga by birth or belongs to this State and yet we belong to Kannada and Kannadigas. We are the students of music and music is our mother tongue."