Renowned playback singer and actor S P Balasubrahmanyam was conferred this year's Alva's Virasat award at a colourful inaugural function of the cultural event at Moodbidri near here.
The award, comprising Rs one lakh in cash, citation and memento, was presented to him by veteran scholar in classical music R K Padmanabha last evening.
The troupe led by Satyanarayan Punichittaya presented Yakshagana music and Alva's students staged a 'Yaksha Namana' programme on the occasion. Manipuri and Sri Lankan artistes came up with a performance of lyrical music to felicitate the celebrated singer.
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In his speech, Balasubrahmanyam said it was a memorable day for him as he had never been felicitated in such a grand manner in his career. He said he was dedicating the honour to his mother and seniors who had groomed him.
The four-day Virasat, organised annually by Alva's Education Foundation, was inaugurated by Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade.
A cultural procession was taken out before the inaugural ceremony.
