NEW DELHI, Aug 1: Violin virtuoso and Padma Vibhushan awardee L Subramaniam has been conferred Sri Lanka's highest state honour in recognition of his contribution to music and his role in strengthening cultural ties between India and the island nation.
The honour was presented on behalf of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya by Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, according to a statement issued by the organisers.
The award recognises Subramaniam's contribution to Indian classical music, his pioneering work in the Global Fusion genre and his efforts to foster cultural exchanges between India and Sri Lanka.
The recognition carries personal significance for the acclaimed violinist, who spent part of his childhood in Sri Lanka while his father, the late violinist and music educator Prof V Lakshminarayana, lived and taught there.
As part of the celebrations, Subramaniam performed at a Global Fusion concert at Colombo's Elphinstone Theatre alongside his children Ambi Subramaniam and Mahati Subramaniam. The concert also featured Sri Lankan musicians Hemapala Perera and Ravibandhu Vidyapathi.
A road named "Violin Maestro Lakshminarayana Road" was also inaugurated in Jaffna's Valikamam South in honour of Lakshminarayana, who taught and performed extensively in Sri Lanka, including at Ramanathan College and the North Ceylon Sangeetha Sabha from 1935 onwards.
Subramaniam, who unveiled the road plaque, described the occasion as "a profound and emotional honour", recalling his family's long association with Sri Lanka.
The organisers said the twin recognitions celebrated the enduring cultural relationship between India and Sri Lanka as well as Subramaniam's contribution as one of India's foremost ambassadors of classical music.
Subramaniam is among India's most celebrated violinists and composers and is widely credited with pioneering the Global Fusion genre through collaborations with leading musicians and orchestras across the world. (PTI)
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