New Delhi: The Central Government announced the Padma Vibhushan Awardees today. A total of 119 people have been awarded the Padma Awards this year on the occasion of Republic Day. Seven were nominated for the Padma Vibhushan, 10 for the Padma Bhushan and 102 for the Padma Sri awards.
S.P. Balasubrahmanyam was awarded Padma Vibhushan in the Tamil Nadu quota. Among the Telugu states, three from AP and one from Telangana were awarded the Padma Shri. Among those selected for the Padma Shri from Andhra Pradesh were violin player Annavarapu Ramaswamy from Vijayawada, Writer Ashavadi Prakash Rao from Ananthapur district and Nidumolu Sumathi, the country's first drummer.
Avadhani Dr. Ashavadi Prakash Rao
Avadhani Dr. Ashavadi Prakash Rao from Anantapur district was born on August 2, 1944 to Kullayamma and Pakkirappa. H was resident of Peravali in Shinganamala Mandal. Educated from SSLC to MA (Telugu) in Anantapur. He started his career as a Telugu scholar in Zilla Parishad High School and retired as the Principal of Penukonda Government Degree College. He is responsible for more than 170 avadhanas and 57 writings.
Nidumolu Sumathi
Nidumolu Sumathi from Vijayawada was the first artist to take up the profession of percussion. She is a well-known music artist residing in Vijayawada and hash received many awards and rewards. She was trained by her father Nidumolu Raghavayya, a Mridanga scholar. She gave his first concert at the age of ten. She has provided instrumental accompaniment to many celebrities like Mangalampally Balamuralikrishna. She was also awarded the Central Academy of Musical Drama Award in 2009.
Annavarapu Ramaswamy
Annavarapu Ramaswamy is a famous Karnatic musician from Vijayawada. His father Pentayya was a Nadaswara scholar. Ramaswamy currently resides at Suryaraopeta, Vemurivariveedhi. He has performed in many countries over the past 8 decades. He invented new tunes called Vandana, Sridurga, and the keys called Trinetradi and Vedadi.
