Reknowned Thavil player Valayapatti A R Subramanian was confereed the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi Award of the Music Academy. The award was given to him by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. Speaking at the function , the minister said that attempting to conduct music appreciation courses would be a good way to propogate music. The minister also requested the music academy to groom young musicians and singers to conserve traditional music for the future. “Music acquired a new dimension when Valayapatti joined hands with Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan on violin,” said the minister appreciating the duo.