As mentioned in my earlier post, the primary objective behind the formation of Raagalaya was to honour and celebrate the legendary personalities who have enriched Indian music through the Raagalaya Lifetime Achievement Award.
The inaugural Raagalaya Awards function was held on 1st January 2005 at the prestigious Shanmukhananda Hall, Mumbai. The first recipients of this prestigious honour were three towering legends of Indian music—late Shri V. Dakshinamurthy, the legendary music director; late Smt. P. Leela, the legendary playback singer; and late Shri P. Jayachandran, one of India’s most celebrated singers.
The award ceremony was followed by a memorable musical evening featuring evergreen songs associated with these great artistes. The performances by Madhu Balakrishnan, late M. S. Naseem, late Radhika Tilak, late Cyriac Simon, Sabu Kalabhavan, and other talented singers captivated the audience.
One of the most cherished moments of the evening came when, on the audience’s repeated request, Smt. P. Leela graciously sang a few lines from one of her evergreen classics. The entire hall erupted in applause, making it the highlight of the programme and a moment that still lives in the hearts of everyone who witnessed it.
The programme was elegantly compered by Jayaraj Warrier, who also entertained the audience with his much-loved caricature show.
Adding to the significance of the occasion, the winners of the first Raagalaya Music Competition had the privilege of receiving their prizes from these legendary artistes—an honour they will undoubtedly treasure for a lifetime.
It was truly a historic and unforgettable evening that marked the beginning of Raagalaya’s enduring journey of recognising excellence and preserving the rich legacy of Indian music.