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Padma Shri Winner's 60-Year Journey: From Poverty to Glory
6 Feb
Summary
- Padma Shri honors mridangam exponent Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam.
- He credits his late mother for his success and dedication.
- Bakthavathsalam aims to elevate percussion artistes' recognition.
Mridangam virtuoso Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam, a recent Padma Shri awardee, credits his mother, vocalist TR Anandavalli, for his success. Raised in a single-parent household after his father's early demise, Bakthavathsalam pursued his musical dreams with unwavering determination.
He views the Padma Shri honor as a significant recognition, especially noting that mridangam players have received it for two consecutive years. Bakthavathsalam advocates for increased recognition of percussion artistes, emphasizing their importance in Carnatic music.
With 60 years of experience, the 70-year-old artist arrived in Chennai with only his mridangam, determined to succeed. He recalled his mother's initial desire for him to have a stable job, a struggle that ultimately shaped his career.
