Entertainment · Music · 12 hrs ago
Carnatic vocalist RK Padmanabha selected for 2026 Chowdiah Award
Carnatic vocalist RK Padmanabha has been selected for the 2026 Chowdiah Award.
The award will be presented on November 15 during the Chowdiah Utsava and the Academy of Music Chowdiah Awards.
Padmanabha grew up in Rudrapatna, a village in Karnataka known for producing Carnatic musicians, and began formal training at Violin Chowdiah’s music college in Mysore.
The award honours a musician he admired from childhood, after waiting as a six-year-old to see Chowdiah perform.
Padmanabha has sung for 70 years, performed on stage for 50 years and written 60 books, as well as composing hundreds of pieces.
His work spans music, teaching, writing and theatre, including a recent book on 200 compositions by Muthuswamy Dikshitar.
He is due to receive the award on November 15; the announcement does not give further details about the ceremony.
Carnatic vocalist RK Padmanabha has been selected for the 2026 Chowdiah Award.
The award is scheduled to be presented on November 15 during the Chowdiah Utsava and the Academy of Music Chowdiah Awards in Bengaluru.
Padmanabha has 70 years of singing experience, 50 years on stage and 60 books to his credit, according to The Hindu.
He said he treasures the recognition because of his admiration for Violin Chowdiah.
- Who
- Carnatic vocalist RK Padmanabha.
- What
- He has been selected for the 2026 Chowdiah Award.
- When
- The award is scheduled to be presented on November 15, 2026.
- Where
- During the Chowdiah Utsava and the Academy of Music Chowdiah Awards in Bengaluru.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Hindu reported that Padmanabha had been selected for the 2026 Chowdiah Award.
The award is scheduled to be presented during the Chowdiah Utsava and the Academy of Music Chowdiah Awards.
- Award
- 2026 Chowdiah Award
- Recipient
- RK Padmanabha
- Presentation date
- November 15, 2026
- Experience
- 70 years of singing and 50 years on stage
- Books
- 60, including five novels and four plays on music
What people are saying
I treasure this recognition as I admire Chowdiah deeply.
It is an honour to receive the Chowdiah Award as I never dreamt I would become a musician of such repute; it is just the grace of the Almighty