Chandigarh
1 February 2018
DIVYA AZAD
MLK Late Guru Madan Lal Koser needs no introduction in the realm of art and culture. His untiring efforts has not only put the city beautiful on the art map of the world but have also succeeded in kindling the interest of young generation towards the classical art of music and dance.
He as famous in the world of dance and music as in persevering, promoting and preserving the best in these streams. He has done yeoman service to the cause of his chosen field and gave all he had to the world of performing arts for almost six decades now. He taught music and made the art-minded world gay with what is the best in the classical tradition of disciplines of the higher and finer levels of dance and music.
Through this award we humble pay tribute to those stalwarts who has rendered substantial services in the realm of classical art and culture. This award is special and unique because it is a kind of recognition and salute to the talent of an artist by an artist. This award is given in the name of Guru Madan Lal Koser, founder of Pracheen Kala Kendra, great artist himself. He is the image of personified creativity and epitome of selfless services towards the promotion & dissemination of Indian classical art and culture.
Taking note of this, the Executive Board of Pracheen Kala Kendra in 2004 decided to institute an annual award of Rupees One Lakh to be given to those who had done original work for the propagation of Indian classical arts. The award would do three kinds of services. One, this would promote art and culture. Two, this would respect talent. Three, this would honour the celebrity in his/her field for their outstanding contribution.
The first award ceremony was held in March 2005 when two luminaries from the field of performing arts namely Guru Sitara Devi, the legendary Kathak dancer and Pandit Manilal Nag, the Sitar virtuoso of the Vishnupur Gharana were conferred upon the first award. The second award (2006) was given to the Sitar maestro Ustad Shahid Parvez and Kathak scion of Jaipur Gharana Pandit Charan Girdhar Chand from Singapore. Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta (Sarod player) and Dr. Saraswati (Bharatnatyam dancer) were the recipients of the third award (2007). The fourth award (2008) was awarded to Sarangi wizard Pandit Ram Narayan and Bharatnatyam virtuoso Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan. The fifth award (2009) was bestowed upon Pandit Shankar Ghosh, Tabla maestro and Smt. Sunayana Hazarilal, Kathak dancer of Banaras gharana. Odissi danseuse Guru Sonal Mansingh and Mohan Veena maestro Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt were presented the sixth award (2010). Kathak wizard Pandit Birju Maharaj was conferred upon the seventh award in 2011. Santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma was the receipt of 8th Koser award of 2012. Santoor maestro Pt. Bhajan Sopori and Kathak Exponent Guru Shovana Narayan was the recipient of 9th Koser Award ceremony in 2013. 10th Koser award was given to Kathak wizard Legend Guru Kundan Lal Gangani in 2014. 11th award bestowed upon the acclaimed Santoor Wizard Pt. Satish Vyas in 2015. 12th Koser Award was conferred upon Ustad Shujat Husain Khan (son and disciple of Legendary Sitar Maestro Ustad Vilayat Khan Sahib ) in 2016 and Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty (Legendary Vocalist) in 2017.
The 14th Annual Guru M.L. Koser Award 2018 will be bestowed upon two renowned Gurus and Tabla Exponents of Punjab Gharana Pt. Sushil Jain and Pt. Kale Ram at a special ceremony to be held at Tagore Theatre on February 3rd 2018 from 6:30 PM onwards. Disclosing the details of the programme Kendra Registrar Dr. Shobha Koser said that the award this year will be conferred upon Pt. Sushil Jain and Pt. Kale Ram by Prof. Kaptan Singh Solanki, Honble Governor of Haryana who has very kindly consented to be the Chief Guest of the function as well. The award ceremony will be followed by a mesmerizing and melodious Recital by the maestros and their disciples. Kindly add that all the art lovers are welcome and cordially invited.
