During the Golden Jubilee of Peetarohanam (ascension to the
pontifical seat) of His Holiness Pujyasri Jayendra Sarawati
Swamiji to the venerated Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in 2003-
2004, a National Eminence Award in Fine Arts was set up by
the devotees of the Mutt. The event is conducted as part of the
Annual Sri. Kanchi Mahaswami Festival
Kamakoti Peetam has been in the forefront of promotion of
Fine Arts in the country. The several Acharyas who have adorned
this Peetam have themselves been great connoisseurs of Fine
Arts.
The 69th Acharya Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamiji renovated
the Homes of the Trinity of Music in Thiruvarur in Tanjore District,
Tamil Nadu and set up the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Carnataka
Sangeetha Seva Trust to perform the Jayanti Celebrations of
Saint Thyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Sastry.
In addition to honouring artistes as Asthana Vidwans of
the Mutt, the Acharyas of the Peetam have given primacy to the
development of Indian music amongst the youth of this country.
This award is a continuation of the efforts of the Kamakoti
Peetam to promote excellence in Fine Arts. The award carries a
Cash Prize of Rs. 1 lakh, a Bronze Lamp, a Citation and blessings
from the Sankaracharyas.
Sri. Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal attained Videha Mukti
on 28.02.2018. For 63 long years, he adorned the Peetam with
distinction and guided it with visionary leadership.
This year the Award was conferred on
Shanmukha Sangeetha
Shiromani Shri. Sikkil S. Gurucharan on 23rd December 2023.