L. Subramaniam Becomes First Violinist To Get The Padma Vibhushan

NEW DELHI (ANI)- Renowned violinist Lakshminarayana Subramaniam expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the government of India for bestowing him with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan.

On April 28 evening, President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma award to Subramaniam at a grand ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. His wife, singer Kavita Krishnamurthy, also attended the event.

After the ceremony, Subramaniam shared his joy, “I am extremely happy. More than anything, I believe this is an award for all violinists, as this is the first time a violinist has received the Padma Vibhushan. Music has given me everything,” he said.

L. Subramaniam, who used to be based in Southern California, has composed several musical pieces for renowned ballet companies such as the San Jose Ballet Company, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and the Mariinsky Ballet, has also scored music for films like Salaam Bombay, Mississippi Masala, Little Buddha, and Cotton Mary.

In a previous interview, he shared his journey of earning a Master’s in Western Classical Music. After completing his medical degree, Subramaniam was advised to pursue a lengthy path to earn a Bachelor’s in music before enrolling for his Master’s.

Instead, he sent his tape to several institutions and was accepted by the California Institute of Arts and Ithaca, New York. Choosing California, Subramaniam recounts his determination to complete his Master’s quickly, finishing the requirements in just nine months despite not having a BA in music. “I worked hard, spending most of my time in the library,” he said.