Lokmat Sur Jyotsna National Music Awards: Kavita Krishnamurti Honoured With Legend Award; Ricky Kej Conferred With Icon Award

Bengaluru, often hailed as the Garden City, came alive with the captivating rhythms of Indian music as it hosted the 12th Lokmat Sur Jyotsna National Music Awards at the Prestige Centre for Performing Arts in Konanakunte on Friday.

Legendary classical and playback singer Padma Shri Kavita Krishnamurti Subramaniam was presented with the prestigious Legend Award, while the internationally renowned composer and three-time Grammy winner Padma Shri Ricky Kej received the esteemed Icon Award.

These awards, instituted in memory of Jyotsna Darda—founder of the Lokmat Sakhi Manch and a passionate patron of music—were handed over by distinguished personalities including Padma Vibhushan Dr. L Subramaniam, acclaimed violinist and composer; Dr. Vijay Darda, Chairman of Lokmat Media Group and former Rajya Sabha member; Khushboo Goyal from the Karnataka State Industrial Development Corporation; Sunil Agarwal, Additional Director General of Police, Karnataka; and jury members Shashi Vyas, a classical music scholar, and Gauri Yadwadkar, a music expert and composer. More than just an award ceremony, the evening was a vibrant celebration of India’s rich musical heritage.

I Am Still a Student, Not a Master: Kavita Krishnamurti

“I must say, I am still a student in music, not a master. But maybe, in my next life I hope I will be a master,” said Kavita Krishnamurti. She recalled being mesmerised by Lata Mangeshkar's voice on the radio at the age of six, calling it “a fairy trapped inside” that stole her heart. Finding her career in Mumbai as a playback singer felt like 'an absolutely golden dream', she said. Kavita expressed her deep gratitude by saying, “It’s the great people who cherish your character, who bring finer emotions into you, and make you look beyond wealth and success.” She said she is grateful for the divine blessings of her mentors and her husband Dr L Subramaniam. She gracefully rendered a few lines from her iconic song “Kyon naye lag rahe hain ye dharti gagan...” as she concluded her acceptance speech.

Musicians Have a Crucial Role in Shaping Society: Ricky Kej

Ricky Kej emphasized that real change begins with personal transformation. He warned against the mindset that others will solve global issues like climate change, pollution, and species extinction. Kej stressed the need to change human behaviour and mentality, saying music is a powerful tool to inspire this shift. He expressed gratitude for sharing the stage with legends Dr. L Subramaniam and Kavita Krishnamurti and concluded by asserting that musicians must lead in spreading messages that drive positive societal change.

Music Can Alleviate Suffering: Dr. Vijay Darda 

Welcoming music lovers in Bengaluru, Dr. Vijay Darda Chairman of Lokmat Media Group and former Rajya Sabha member, praised the city’s rich musical heritage and expressed pride in hosting the Lokmat Sur Jyotsna National Music Awards there. He highlighted music as a divine gift, essential to human life and emotional balance. “If melody and rhythm didn’t exist, life would be dull,” he said, noting how ragas are designed to match the energy of different times of day.

Sharing a personal story, Dr. Darda spoke of his late wife Jyotsna, a lifelong music connoisseur who battled cancer for 24 years. “She said she would ‘cancel’ her cancer with music,” he recalled. Even days before her passing away, she requested to hear the Bhaktamar Stotra as she believed in music’s spiritual power. Dr. Darda concluded by affirming music’s role in nurturing human values and offering strength in life’s most difficult moments.