The Department of Tourism of Kerala presents every year the Nishagandhi Puraskaram award in the light of Nishagandhi Dance & Music Festivals. In this year, our Maestro Ilaiyaraaja had been nominated to receive the honour.
He receives it for artistic excellence and contribution to the Indian Film Music Industry as quoted by the State Tourism Minister A.P.Anil Kumar. Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will present him with it on January 20, the very same day of Thaarai Thappattai release.
The festival marks the performances by various artists including Hema Malini, Zakir Hussain, Sankaranarayanan, Anoushka Shankar, etc. The composer had earlier received the IFFI centenary award recently in November and another award awaits the legend.
Music composer Isaignani Ilayaraja