MUMBAI: To celebrate the creative spirit of its Founder President, Shri Aditya Vikram Birla and in his memory, the Sangit Kala Kendra has instituted Awards that recognise excellence in the performing arts. These awards - Aditya Vikram Birla Kalashikhar Puraskar and the Aditya Vikram Birla Kalakiran Puraskars are conferred annually – the former on an extraordinary artist in a specific field and the latter on younger artists who have the potential to make it to the top.

Sangit Kala Kendra president Rajashree Birla said, “We have a renowned panel of judges who name the winners. This year the panel comprised of Pandit Shri Ajoy Chakrabarty, Pandit Shri Suresh Talwalkar, Pandit Shri Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Pandit Shri Shankar Abhyankar. They have chosen Pandit ShivKumar Sharma the santoor maestro and a living legend for the Aditya Vikram Birla Kalashikhar Puraskar, recognising his lifetime achievement in instrumental music. Shri Satyajit Talwalkar (tabla), Shri Murad Ali Khan (Sarangi) and Shri Sanjeev Shankar and Ashwani Shankar (Shehnai) have been named for the Aditya Vikram Birla Kalakiran Puraskars”.

The Sangit Kala Kendra has programmed the 19th Anniversary celebrations of these prestigious awards on 7 November, 2015 in Mumbai. The Awards will be presented by Governor of Maharashtra Shri Ch. Vidyasagar Rao.