Violinist N Rajam to Receive Padma Vibhushan

N Rajam, a violinist associated with Hindustani classical music, has been named for the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award. The award is conferred by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan and is announced in the Republic Day honours list.

Padma Awards in India

The Padma awards are civilian honours of the Government of India and are announced every year on the eve of Republic Day. The three Padma categories are Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.

N Rajam and Gayaki Ang

N Rajam is known for developing Gayaki Ang on the violin, a style that reproduces the tonal movement and ornamentation of the human voice. She was born in Chennai in 1938 and began her musical training in Carnatic music before moving to Hindustani music.

Academic and Institutional Career

N Rajam served at Banaras Hindu University for nearly four decades. She worked as a professor, head of department, and dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts at BHU.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Padma Vibhushan was instituted in 1954 as one of India’s civilian awards.
• The Padma Vibhushan ranks below the Bharat Ratna and above the Padma Bhushan.
• Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi is the official residence of the President of India.
• Omkarnath Thakur was a noted Hindustani classical vocalist and teacher.

Previous Awards

N Rajam received the Padma Shri in 1984 and the Padma Bhushan in 2004. She also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 2012.

Current Residence and Teaching

N Rajam lives in Thane district of Maharashtra and continues to teach and perform. The Gurukul system is a traditional Indian method of residential learning in the guru-shishya tradition.