Senior Carnatic vocalist K. Omanakutty has been honoured with the Padma Shri award. Fondly called Omanakutty teacher among her legion of students that included popular singers such as K.S. Chitra and B. Arundhathi, she made significant contributions as a performer and researcher to popularise Carnatic music in the State.
Daughter of renowned musician Malabar Gopalan Nair, Dr. Omanakutty’s enviable reputation as a singer, teacher, research guide, writer, and composer was recognised by the State government in 2021 by presenting the Swathi music award. Speaking to The Hindu, she said: “I had no hopes that I would be considered for the Padma award this time as my name was nominated for the award in the past as well. Though I was honoured by hundreds of awards such as the Swathi music award, Chembai award etc, this honour holds special position among them.”
Though retired, she has been pursuing her passion for music by imparting nuances of music to her legion of students. Amid the delight of the award, she said she would continue her quest for teaching and practicing music. She also played a major role in forming a syllabus for the study of music at the university level in Kerala.
She is the sister of noted musicians M. G. Radhakrishnan and M. G. Sreekumar. She started her career as a lecturer in the department of music at Women’s College in Thiruvananthapuram.
