A celebrated figure in the world of Carnatic music, R.K. Shriramkumar, has been bestowed with the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi award by the Music Academy for the year 2025. Known for his exceptional skills as a violinist, Shriramkumar has accompanied numerous legendary artists and contemporary musicians throughout his illustrious career. The decision to honor him was announced by N. Murali, the president of the Music Academy, who highlighted Shriramkumar's profound expertise in the Sangita Sampradaya Pradarsini, a seminal work on Muthuswami Dikshitar's compositions. This recognition comes at a significant time, marking the 250th anniversary of Dikshitar's birth.

R.K. Shriramkumar hails from a family deeply rooted in music, originating from Rudrapatnam, a village along the banks of the Cauvery River in Karnataka. His musical journey began under the tutelage of Savitri Satyamurthy, followed by extensive training from his grandfather, R.K. Venkatarama Shastry, a renowned violinist who led the Thiyagaraja Aradhana at Thiruvaiyaru for nearly four decades. Later, he received guidance in both vocal music and violin from luminaries such as V.V. Subrahmanyam and D.K. Jayaraman. With a lineage that includes the illustrious Sangita Kalanidhi R.K. Srikantan as his granduncle and vocalists Rudrapatnam Brothers as his uncles, Shriramkumar attributes his success to divine grace and the blessings of his gurus.

Beyond Shriramkumar’s accolade, the Music Academy also announced several other awards. Dancer Urmila Satyanarayana will receive the Nritya Kalanidhi award, while vocalist Shymala Venkateswaran and thavil virtuoso T.R. Govindarajan are set to be honored with the Sangita Kala Acharya awards. Kathakali artiste Madambi Subramania Namboothiri and veena players J.T. Jeyaraaj Krishnan and Jayasri Jeyaraaj Krishnan have been chosen for the TTK awards. These honors will be conferred during the academy's 99th annual conference and concerts scheduled between December 15, 2025, and January 1, 2026.

The legacy of Carnatic music continues to thrive through the dedication of artists like R.K. Shriramkumar, whose contributions enrich its traditions. As the recipient of this year’s Sangita Kalanidhi award, he will preside over the academic sessions of the upcoming conference, further cementing his role as a custodian of this timeless art form. The ceremony marks not only individual achievements but also celebrates the collective efforts that sustain and elevate Carnatic music across generations.