The year 2010 marked yet another glorious milestone in Raagalaya’s journey with the presentation of the Raagalaya Lifetime Achievement Award to the legendary Malayalam music director Late M. G. Radhakrishnan, whose timeless compositions continue to inspire generations of music lovers.
As the maestro had passed away, the prestigious award was received by his wife Smt. Padmaja Radhakrishnan, who also passed away subsequently, in the presence of the entire family, including his sister, the renowned Carnatic vocalist Dr. Omanakutty Amma, his son and noted sound engineer Rajakrishnan, and other family members.
The grand function, held at the iconic Shanmukhananda Hall, Mumbai, was a memorable celebration of M. G. Radhakrishnan’s extraordinary musical legacy. Following the award ceremony, the audience was treated to a spectacular musical tribute featuring some of his evergreen compositions. Popular playback singers Madhu Balakrishnan, Ravi Shankar, Late Radhika Thilak, Preetha Kannan, and several others enthralled the packed auditorium with their soulful renditions. Adding laughter to the evening was a delightful mimicry performance by Ramesh Pisharody, while the programme was gracefully compered by Sureshkumar of Pattupetti fame.
One of the most unforgettable moments of the evening came when Madhu Balakrishnan rendered the immortal classic “Soorya Kireedom Veenudanju,” originally sung by M. G. Sreekumar and composed by his brother, M. G. Radhakrishnan. Deeply moved by the performance, Dr. Omanakutty Amma remarked during her speech that it was the first time she had heard the song performed live with such depth of emotion and involvement, perfectly reflecting the feelings her brother had envisioned while composing it. Her heartfelt appreciation was greeted with a thunderous standing ovation from the audience, making it one of the most cherished moments of the evening.
The programme was an overwhelming success and received widespread appreciation from music lovers. It became yet another feather in the cap of Raagalaya, reinforcing its commitment to honouring legendary musicians and preserving the rich heritage of Indian music.
The journey continues… More unforgettable memories await in the next chapter of Raagalaya’s musical legacy.