Chembai music fest begins

GURUVAYUR: The Chembai Sangeetholsavam held annually at the Sree Krishna temple at Guruvayur began on Friday. The 14-day Carnatic music festival was inaugurated by devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran.
This year's Sree Guruvayurappan Chembai Puraskaram of Guruvayur Devaswom for the year was presented to veteran Carnatic musician K Omanakutty. The award comprising of 10gram gold locket of Sree Guruvayurappan, Rs 50,001, citation and ponnada were presented by the devaswom minister.
Devaswom chairman Pethambarakurup, devaswom member K Kunjunni and administrator C C Sasidharan attended the meeting.Award winner Omanakutty gave the inaugural concert. Nearly 4,000 classical musicians including renowned artists will take part in the festival this year.