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Awards
Sudha’s musical career began with her first accompanying her Guru, Padmabhushan Dr.MLV, on stage, and then giving memorable performances one after the other. Sudha Ragunathan has amassed numerous titles and awards over the years, making her mother, her Gurus, her rasikas and her country proud. These accolades have been given by Institutions and governing bodies from across the world. And Sudha has just this to say of her glories…..”Shri Gurubyo Namah”….all at the feet of her Guru…and moving on, with the blessings of the Almighty.
Awards Chronology
Balamuralikrishna Award
April 20, 2019
Hindu Heritage Award, recognizing excellence in art and culture
March 23, 2019
Pothys Parampara Magudam
December 26, 2018Receiving the award ‘Sangita Vidya Nidhi’ for life time contribution to classical arts from Indian Fine Arts Academy, San Diego
March 24, 2018
Muscat Tamzh Sangam Lifetime Achievement Award
March 24, 2018
Isai Mani Makutam
September 3, 2017
Rama Gaana Kalacharya
April 8, 2017
Sudha received the title of ‘Mutthamizh Perarignar’ from the Madurai Tamizh Isai Sangam
February 20, 2017
Sudha is the recipient of Bharatiya Samagana Sabha’s Samagana Mathanga National Award.
February 19, 2017
Adding Smiles Foundation’s Living Legend Award 2017 was given to Sudha Ragunathan
January 31, 2017
Sri Surabharathi Sanskrit & Cultural Foundation, during their festival Maargasheershothsav confered the title of ‘Sangeetha Ratnakara’ on Sudha Ragunathan
January 14, 2017The JFW Awards- Excellence in the field of Classical Music was awarded to Sudha Ragunathan for 2016
December 22, 2016Sudha was the recipient of The Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai’s Sangeetha Kalasikhamani Award during Marghazhi 2016
December 17, 2016
The Chennai Cultural Academy Trust conferred The Lifetime Achievement Award on Sudha Ragunathan during Marghazhi 2016
December 9, 2016
Gold Medal – Lalitha Kala Vedika. RK Swamy auditorium (at Sivaswamy Kalalaya School), 5 Sundareswarar Street, Mylapore
August 30, 2016Raindropss 4th Annual Women Achiever Awards 2016 by Raindropss, Chennai
March 29, 2016
Sudha Ragunathan received the Zee Indian Women Award on 18 January, 2016 from Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge) & Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India
January 16, 2016
‘The Academy of Music Chowdiah Award’ was presented to Sudha Ragunathan by Bharat Ratna Shri CNR Rao at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bangalore
November 8, 2015
Sudha was awarded the Bharathi Thyagaraja Samman 2015 by the Sadguru Sri Thyagabrahma Aradhana Kainkarya Trust, in the august presence of His Holinesses of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham
July 12, 2015
Sudha Ragunathan was conferred the Stree Ratna Award by The Fine Arts Society, Chembur, Mumbai on 14 March, 2015
March 14, 2015
Swara Saamraagni’ was conferred on Sudha Ragunathan by the Thyagaraja Samithi at Nellore on 12 March, 2015
March 12, 2015Sudha Ragunathan is the recepient of the Padma Bhushan for the year 2015 announced on 26 January 2015
January 26, 2015
The title of the coveted Sangita Kalanidhi for 2013 by the illustrious Music Academy, Chennai, India was conferred upon Sudha on 1 January, 2014, by His Excellency Shri ESL Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh in front of an august audience at the Music Academy, Chennai
January 1, 2014Sudha was awarded the Bharat Seva Puraskar by Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha and Carnatica on 3 November, 2013, for her exemplary service to music and humanity
November 3, 2013The Veena Seshanna Memorial National Award was bestowed upon Sudha Ragunathan by Governor of Karnataka H.R. Bharadwaj on 31 August, 2013
August 31, 2013Life Time Achievement Award for Women Exclusive at Rani Seethai Hall, Chennai
June 22, 2013Sudha was conferred the title of Sangeetha Samrat by Jana Seva, a non-profit organization, at Edward Nash auditorium in Raritan Valley Community Center, Branchburg, New Jersey, USA. This was just ahead of her fusion concert ‘Morning Raga’ at the same venue
May 11, 2013Sudha received the LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for tireless service in the field of music from The Loyola forum for Historical Research (LFHR), Loyola College, Chennai
March 1, 2013Sudha being conferred the title ‘Sangeetha Vedanta Dhurina’ by Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira at the Bangalore Gayana Samaja Auditorium
February 10, 2013Sudha being conferred the title Isai Perarasi by Shri R Nataraj, IPS, Director General of Police (Fire and Rescue Services)
January 3, 2013
The title Sangita Vidya Praveena was conferred on Sudha Ragunathan by Mrs. Y G Parthasarathy during Kala Kruthi’s annual music festival. The event was held at Sankaralayam, 63, Mayor Ramanathan Road, Chetpet, Chennai 600031
December 5, 2012
Pujyasri Swami Dayananda Saraswati of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam presenting Arsha Kala Bhushanam award to Sudha Ragunathan at a function organised by Arsha Kalarangam, the cultural wing of the Gurukulam, in Coimbatore
November 15, 2012
Sudha received the Rasikas New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award from Sri. Aravamudhan Gopalan Iyengar at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre, Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand
March 17, 2012
The title of Tamizh Isai Vendhar was conferred upon Sudha on 25 December, 2011 by Shri L Sabaretnam for Kartik Fine Arts at their Tamizh Isai Festival conducted at Valliammal College, Anna Nagar, Chennai
December 25, 2011
Sudha Ragunathan was conferred the title of Isai Peraringar by the Tamil Isai Sangam at Raja Annamalai Hall. The citation was handed over to her by Kavignar Vaali in the presence of Justice Gokulakrishnan and Shri A.C. Muthaiah
December 21, 2011
Tamizh Isai Vani by Tamizh Isai Group of Maximum Media
December 18, 2011Receiving the ‘Honorary’ Award from Shri N. Murali, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Madras North
November 30, 2011
Sudha received the Vishwa Kala Bharathi Award (Bharat Kalachar) from Swami Dayananda Saraswathi
November 26, 2011
Sudha received the Maharajapuram Santhanam Memorial Award (2011) from Shri Cleveland VV Sundaram at Vani Mahal, Chennai
October 22, 2011
Sudha was the recipient of The Dr.Sir Rajah Annamalai Chettiar Birthday Commemoration Award given in recognition of her role in the promotion of Tamil music. The Award giving ceremony was on 30 Sept 2011 at the Rani Seethai Hall, Chennai.
September 30, 2011
The Honorable Mark H. Luttrell, Jr., Mayor of Shelby County, Tennessee presented a proclamation and citation to Sudha Ragunathan in recognition of her accomplishments in the field of Carnatic music. The Citation was handed over at the Mayor’s Office in Tennessee
May 7, 2011
Sudha was awarded the Season’s best Senior Vocalist for 2010 by the Music Academy
January 1, 2011
Award for lifetime achievement in Carnatic music, 2010 by Makkal Kural & Trinity Mirror given by Kumararani Meena Muthiah at Kamaraj Arangam, prior to her concert for Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru
December 24, 2010
Sudha Ragunathan was the recipient of the Shri P. Obul Reddy. and Smt. P. Gnanamba Memorial Award. The function was presided by Dr. Preetha Reddy at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai
November 21, 2010The Sri Avani Sringeri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam, Shankar Mutt, Bengaluru, on 17 October, 2010, honoured Sudha on by conferring on her the title of Aasthana Vidhushi
October 17, 2010The Indra Sivasailam Endowment Fund awarded the Indra Sivasailam Endowment Medal on 15 October, 2010. The selection was made on the basis of specific criteria which include excellence in performance, audience appeal, adherence to classical tradition while innovating within its framework, depth of knowledge and demonstrated efforts to disseminate knowledge and the ability to bring about a greater and deeper public appreciation of Carnatic music. A unanimous choice for this award was Sudha Ragunathan, the first recipient of the award
October 15, 2010The Bhairavi Fine Arts Society, during the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival, conferred upon Sudha Ragunathan the title of ‘Sangeetha Rathnakara’.The title ofSangeetha Rathnakara is bestowed upon an artist who has made a fundamental contribution to the Carnatic arts through its performance and propogation
April 3, 2010The Poornathrayeesa Sangeetha Sabha, Tripunithura conferred upon Sudha the title ‘Sangeetha Sampoorna’ . Padmashri C. K. Menon did the honours
February 21, 2010The Dombivili Fine Arts Society, Mumbai on 24 January, 2010, conferred upon Sudha the title ‘Sangeetha Kala Vishaaradh’
January 24, 2010The Visakha Music Academy of Visakhapatnam, conferred upon Sudha the Academy’s title ‘Sangeetha Kala Saagara’. The conferment was done by the Academy’s President, Shri.A. Prasanna Kumar
November 27, 2009Geethanjali of Bengalooru, conferred upon Sudha the title “Sangeetha Ratna”, in memory of Bharat Ratna M.S. Subbulakshmi
March 2, 2009Sudha was conferred the title of “Pannisai Arasi” by the Thamizh Isai Manram, Thiruvaiyaru
January 14, 2009The Sri Sathguru Sangeetha Samajam, Madurai, bestowed upon Sudha the Title of “Madhura Kala Praveena” at a function conducted at the Lakshmi Sundaram Hall, Madurai
January 3, 2009Sudha’s second award for the Season 2008 was conferred by Sri Ragam Fine Arts – the title of “Sangeetha Kala Ratna” at The Government Music College, Chennai. The state education minister Shri. Thangam Thennarasu did the honours as the Chief Guest and conferred the titles upon the recipients
December 19, 2008Carnatica brought together many Carnatic and Hindustani musicians during its nine day festival, Bharat Sangeet Utsav, which culminated in an Award ceremony. Awards were given away under different categories and Sudha Ragunathan was awarded the Icon of the Year 2008 by the American Consulate General, Andrew Simkin
November 9, 2008On 1 January, 2008, during the Sadas session, Sudha was honored by the Music Academy for the Best Performing Artist of the season, in memory of Late Smt. M. L. Vasanthakumari
January 1, 2008Sudha was honored by Sruthii Laya Kendra with the title Gowri Manohari . Also honored was Shri R. Krishnaswamy, Secretary, Narada Gana Sabha. The Gowri Manohari Award has been instituted by Shri. Naganathasivam Gurukkal of London Sri Murugan Temple. Sudha received the Award from Shri.L.Sabaretnam, Director, Chennai Petroleum
December 15, 2007Sudha rated the best female Carnatic musician the second time during the year 2007 according to the survey conducted by IRC-Wide Vision Market Intelligence and Future Studies
December 15, 2007
Sudha Ragunathan was conferred title “Gaana Padmam” along with Padma Bhushan Kumari Kamala(Natya Padmam) and Kalaimamani Shri Kathadi Ramamurthy (Nataka Padmam) by the Brahma Gana Sabha . The citation read as Sudha being given the the title for ‘personal distinction in the propagation of Carnatic music ‘. The title was presented to her by Shri. M.A.M.Ramaswamy
December 1, 2007Honorary Doctorate by International university of Martial Arts, Colombo
September 11, 2007Sudha Ragunathan was conferred The “Rajiv Gandhi Moopanar Award” along with nine others, for eminence in the field of music, in Chennai. Union Minister of State for Statistics Sri.G K Vasan conferred the awards. Cardiologist Dr. Cherian, Actor Ms. Manorama, Poet Sri. Pa Vijay, Educationist & Madras Christian College Principal Ms.Annamma Philip, Mridangam Maestro Sri. K.Sivaraman, Orator Ms.Bharathi Baskar, Film Director Sri. Rajkiran, Educationist & Hindustan Aeronautical College Principal Varghese and Social Worker and Woman Leader Ms.S. Fathima Muzaffer were other recipients of the Award.
August 23, 2007
Naadhaalayaa Shironmani by Valayappatti Kashyap Naadhaalaya
December 23, 2006The Rotary Club of Trichirapalli Fort, Trichy presented Sudha with the VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE Award
March 8, 2006‘Nadha Kavidha’ on December 26 2005, under the aegis of the music journal, ‘Nadha Brahmam’
December 26, 2005Award of Excellence by The Brahmin Association, Chennai
December 25, 2005The Tamil Brahmin Association (THAMBRAAS) AT Chennai presented Sudha Ragunathan with the Award of Excellence at the Silver Jubilee of State Conference
December 25, 2005Padma Sarangapani Cultural Academy honoured Sudha with the ‘Padma Sadhana’ award
December 24, 2005Nadha Rathnakala by Universal Fine Arts of London, UK and Nadha of reunion of France
December 21, 2005Sangeetha Mamani by Sri Rama Bhaktha Jana Samaj, KK Nagar, Chennai
December 18, 2005Vani Kala Sudhakara by Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha (Vani Mahal)
December 9, 2005MSS Award by Vishaka Music Academy
November 25, 2005Sudha was the proud recipient of VIRTUOSO Awards 2005. Best carnatic vocalist
August 19, 2005Naadha Kalanidhi by Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha, New Delhi
February 14, 2005Sudha received the title of ‘Nadha Kalanidhi’ from Sri Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha, New Delhi in February, 2005 for her meritorious achievement in Carnatic Music
February 6, 2005Rasikapriya Ratnam . Jagadguru Sri chandrasekhara Saraswathi spiritual centre, Chennai .
February 5, 2005Ranjani Sangeetha Kalasagara , Sri Ranjani Sabha, Chennai
December 24, 2004Award of Excellence, Paul Harris fellow by The Rotary Club, Chennai
July 19, 2004Sudha Ragunathan had the honour of being named a PAUL HARRIS FELLOW in appreciation of her tangible and significant contribution to the society by the Rotary Club of Madras to coincide with the 75th year ‘Charter Day’; celebrations
July 19, 2004The Rotary Club of Madras presented the ‘Award of Excellence’ to Smt.Sudha Ragunathan on 19 July 2004 honouring her talent
The Government of India announced the Padma Shri award to be given to Sudha Ragunathan in the field of Carnatic music for 2004. She received the Padma Shri from the President of India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam on 30th June 2004
June 30, 2004Title ISAI ARASI conferred by Sriram Samaj, Chennai
April 23, 2004A certificate and gold coin was awarded to Sangeetha Vidwamsini Sudha Ragunathan for lifetime contribution to the propagation classical music on the occasion of the Peetarohana Swarna Jayanthi Mahotsav celebrations of His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal at Chennai
January 20, 2004Sudha Ragunathan was conferred the title ‘ARJUNA’ for achievements as a performer, and as a mark of personal distinction in the propagation of Carnatic Music on 15 December 2003 by the Margazhi Mahotsavam at Chennai
December 15, 2003Sudha was the recipient of 2003 ‘WISDOM Star of India Award and the title of SANGEETA RATNA for her exemplary service to promote music worldwide. It was given by the magazine WISDOM
December 13, 2003KALASAGARAM Secunderabad conferred on Sudha the title of ‘Sangeetha Kalasagram’
November 29, 2003Best Female Singer – Tamil for the movie ‘IVAN’ and awarded the SICA Awards for her achievement by Southern India Cinematographers Association
July 5, 2002Gem of India Award 2001 at the All India Achiever’s conference in the category of fine arts and culture.
November 20, 2001Rashtriya Ekta Award at the 57th birth anniversary celebrations of Rajiv Gandhi in recognition of achievements and contribution to fine arts
August 20, 2001Seva Ratna Award 2001 from The Centenarian Trust, Chennai
July 10, 2001Sangeeta Kala Sironmani from Nungabakkam Cultural Academy Trust, Chennai.
July 5, 2001Outstanding National Citizen Award. The National Citizens Guild, New Delhi
July 5, 2001Sangeetha Kala Sarathy from Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, Chennai from His Holiness Shri Jayendra Saraswathi of Kanchi Mutt
December 5, 2000Sivan Isai Selvi from Papanasam Sivan Rasika Sangam
September 26, 2000Isai Chelvam. Muthamizh Peravai
July 5, 2000
Isai Chelvam in 2000 from Muthamizh Peravai from Kalaingar Dr.M.Karunanidhi
April 10, 2000Bharat Jyoti , Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, New York
September 5, 1999Gaana Sudhakara . Sakthi Arutkoodam
March 24, 1999Gaana Sudha Amirthavarshini , Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
March 17, 1999M. L. V Platinum Jubilee Award , Dr. M. L. V Cultural trust, Chennai
December 25, 1998
Vasantha Gaana Vaarithi , Carnatic Music Association of Ohio, Michigan.
September 6, 1998‘Valmiki Award from Valmiki Manram, Chennai’ with ‘Gana Kuyil from Valmiki Manram, Chennai.’
April 5, 1998Woman of Golden Substance , The Rotary Club, Chennai 1998-1999
April 1, 1998Udhavum Oli , Vasantha memorial trust for cancer cure and care, Coimbatore
February 1, 1998Bharatha Sangeetha Bhusana from Sri Bharatalaya, Chennai.
November 17, 1997Sangeetha Choodamani in 1997 from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai.
August 2, 1997Yogam Nagaswamy. Music Academy, Chennai
January 1, 1997
Sangeetha Bhushani. The Indian Fine Arts , Austin, Texas
September 1, 1996Thennisai Thilakam , Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America and the Tamil Nadu foundation, USA
July 4, 1996Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar Award , Sri Ragam Fine Arts, Chennai
April 3, 1996Honorary award, Rotary Club of Chennai
October 25, 1995Gaana Kala Bhushani , Shankarabharanam Trust
September 7, 1995Junior Fellowship
February 1, 1995Swara Raga Laya Ratna from Academy of Indian Music, Melbourne
October 1, 1994Saptaswara sangeetha vani, Saptaswara Sabha, Karaikkal
September 15, 1994Kalaimamani. Govt Of Tamilnadu , From Ministry of Human Resources Development, Govt of India
July 5, 1994
TOYI – Ten Outstanding Young Indians. The Indian Junior Chamber
July 5, 1994Rasika Kala Ratna, Rasikapriya, Sydney
July 5, 1994Isai Kalai Ilavarasi , Canberra
July 5, 1994Lalitha Swara Gaana Vaaridhi , Perth
July 5, 1994Sangeetha Saraswathi – Sringeri Peetam
May 14, 1993
Sudha Ragunathan is the only carnatic musician after Bharat Ratna M. S. Subbulakshmi to have sung in the United Nations.