Awards
Kala Rathna
Abilash Giriprasad was recognised with the prestigious title “Kala Rathna” by Bhairavi Fine Arts during 2024 Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival - the largest festival for Indian Music outside India. This award was presented by Dr. Nigamanth Sridhar, Provost and Senior Vice President, Cleveland State University. Also seen in the pic is Sri Cleveland VV Sundaram - the man behind the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival for all these years.
Papanasam Sivan Award
Narada Gana Sabha honoured Abilash with the Papanasam Sivan Award during the inauguration ceremony of their Isai Natya Nataka Vizha 2023.
Nomination into ‘Hall of Fame’
Abilash was Nominated into the ‘Live4You Hall of Fame’ for demonstrating excellence and being a trail-blazer in his areas of expertise.
ISAI CHUDAR
Karthik Fine Arts has bestowed its prestigious “Isai Chudar” title on Abilash during it’s 24th year Tamil Music Festival 2019. The award was presented by Sri Ila. Ganesan, in the presence of Padma Sree awardee Dr. Nalli Kuppusamy Chetty, Padma Bhushan awardee Sri T.H. Vinayakaram and other dignitaries.
SANGEETHA KALA JOTHI
Conferred with the title of “Sangeetha Kala Jothi” by Sri Varasithi Vinaayagar Hindu Temple of Toronto, Canada at the end of a remarkable concert for the temple during Canada Fall tour in 2018.
SRI SHANMUKHANANDA BHARAT RATHNA DR. M.S. SUBBULAKSHMI FELLOWSHIP IN MUSIC
Abilash was one of the few fortunate artists who were awarded “Sri Shanmukhananda Bharat Rathna Dr. M S. Subbulakshmi Fellowship in Music” in the year 2016, which was the birth centenary year of the nightingale of Carnatic Music. A weeklong festival was hosted by the sabha to celebrate the centenary of Dr. M. S. Subbulakshmi in which Abilash also presented a concert in the festival. This award was presented by the Maharashtra Governor Shri Vidyasagar Rao. Abilash also received this scholarship during the years 2017 and 2018.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
The Andhra Maha Sabha of South Africa has awarded a Certficate of Appreciation to Abilash for participating in the activities of the Sabha and assisting to promote, propagate and preserve the Telugu language and Andhra culture in South Africa.
SANGEETHA KALA RATHNA
Abilash was conferred with the title “Sangeetha Kala Rathna” by the Institute for South African Performing Arts (IFSAPA), Durban on successful completion of 45-day tour comprising of concerts, master classes and workshops in the city of Durban, South Africa, which is highly remembered by the audience as it was the first of its kind by a carnatic musician.
CERTIFICATE OF HONOUR
Honoured by the Government of Republic of South Africa, appreciating Abilash’s efforts and work in propagating and reviving Carnatic music in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal (Durban), South Africa in the form of a “Certificate of Honour” from the Department of Arts and Culture, Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
BALA KALA RATHNA
Conferred with the title “Bala Kala Rathna” by Baala Kalasagaram Trust in association with ITC Mangaldeep in a function held at Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai during the inauguration of their Margazhi Music Festival 2014 – on his successful graduation as a member from “Issai Mazhalai” troupe. Also seen in the picture are veteran mridangist Sri Thiruvarur Bhakthavatsalam, who honoured Abilash and Sri Abaswaram Ramjhi – Founder trustee of Bala Kalasagaram Trust.
YUVA KALA BHARATHI
Conferred with the coveted title “Yuva Kala Bharathi” by Bharath Kalachar in recognition of his outstanding talent, dedication and achievement in the field of Carnatic music – vocal. This award marks a special place in Abilash’s career as a musician, as it is this same place where his Arangetram took place in the year 2005. In the picture – Veena wizard Viswa Kala Bharathi Shri Rajesh Vaidhya presenting the medal and citation in the presence of veterans like Dr. Mrs. YGP, Vidwan Shri T.N. Seshagopalan, Violin Vidushi A. Kanyakumari, Mridangist Shri Guruvayur Dorai, former West Bengal Governor Shri Gopalakrishna Gandhi, Doha Bank Group CEO Shri R. Seetharaman, etc.
BEST JUNIOR MALE VOCALIST
Awarded the Best Junior Male Vocalist endowment award by Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha (Vani Mahal) for his outstanding concert during Iyal Isai Nataka Vizha – 2012 and was blessed by Thirukkurungudi Perarulala Ramanuja Jeer.
KALAI ILA MANI
Conferred with the prestigious title “Kalai Ila Mani” by the Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Tamil Nadu for outstanding young musician. This award was presented by Thiru TKM Chinnayya, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Govt. of Tamil Nadu in an award function held at Kancheepuram.
BALA BHASKARA
Abilash was declared the Best performer of the year for winning the VAA Top Ten competition held in December 2012. He was conferred with the prestigious title of Bala Bhaskara and a special tambura prize, which was presented during their anniversary function by Sangitha Kala-nidhi Bombay Sisters. This award was received by Abilash’s mother Smt. Srilatha Giriprasad, as Abilash had to perform another concert at the same time at a different venue, as it was during December music season.
BHAVAN’S ANNUAL CULTURAL AWARD
Abilash was the first recipient of the “Bhavan’s Cultural Award of Excellence” instituted by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai Kendra in the year 2011. This award was presented in a function held at Bhavan’s main Hall. Chevaliar Awardee Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna presented the award. Also seen in the picture is Shri K.N. Ramaswamy, Director of Bhavan’s Chennai Kendra.
CARNATIC MUSIC IDOL – PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Abilash’s first claim to mass fame was through Jaya TV’s popular reality show “Carnatic Music Idol”. Abilash was the only participant to be spot selected for finals and he emerged as “Carnatic Music Idol – People’s Choice” and the first runner-up in the competition. The Final round of the competition was held at Chettinad Vidyashram, Chennai which was witnessed by thousands of people in the audience and stars of Carnatic music in judges panel which included Shri Neyveli Santhanagopalan, Dr. S. Sowmya, Carnatica Brothers, the popular violin duo Ganesh Kumaresh, Smt. Gayathri Venkatraghavan, Dr. Ganesh etc. The prime guest for the day who distributed the prizes was Padmabhushan Awardee Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna.
POGO AMAZING KIDS AWARD
Abilash was the winner of Pogo Amazing Kids Award in the singer category in the year 2008 – instituted by popular kids TV channel – POGO. Abilash acclaimed national fame amongst the youth and children by winning this award. The award was presented by none other than the top ranking Bollywood music director Shri Bappi Lahari. Other Bollywood film stars who were present in the award function include Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, Radhid Khan, etc.
PARUPALLI RAMAKRISHNIAH PANTULU MEMORIAL AWARD
Abilash was awarded with the coveted Parupalli Ramakrishnaiah Pantulu Memorial Award (in memory of guru of Dr. M. Bala-muralikrishna), for his outstanding performance in classical music, instituted by Vipanchee, Chennai. He was fortunate to receive the award from Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna at R.K. Swamy Auditorium, Chennai. Others seen in the picture are Dr. Saraswati, founder secretary of Vipanchee, Musicologist Dr. B. M. Sundaram, Sri. T.N. Seshan and ace dancer Smt. Sudharani Raghupathy.
YOUTH EXCELLENCE AWARD
Rotary Club of Madras Mount, Chennai honoured Abilash with Youth Excellence Award in a function held at Narada Gana Sabha on 30.01.2008. Shri. L. Sabarethnam, CEO, India Cements presented this award. Also seen in the picture are Rtn. Vasumathi Marimuthu and Sri Abaswaram Ramjhi along with the office bearers of the Club.
ROHINI KRISHNAN ENDOWMENT PRIZE
Awarded Rohini Krishnan Endowment Prize by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai for meritorious performance in Gokulashtami Sangeetha Uthsavam 2006.
SAMAIKI BHARAT GAURAV SATKAR (UGADHI PURASKAR)
Abilash was awarded the prestigious title of Samaiki Bharat Gaurav Satkar (Ugadhi Puraskar) instituted by Madras Telugu Acadamy, Chennai for his achievements in music at young age. The award function was held at the Music Academy Auditorium, Chennai and the award was presented by then Governor of Maharashtra Shri S. M. Krishna. Veteran Telugu actor Shri Nageswara Rao and Shri T. N. Seshan are also seen in the picture.