Hariprasad Chaurasia to be awarded 'Akshaya Samman'

The annual award, comprising a cash prize of Rs one lakh and a citation, would be presented to Chaurasia by Orissa Governor M C Bhandare at a function here this Monday, Akshaya Mohanty Foundation, which gives away the award, announced here today.

Chaurasia is the third recipient of the award, instituted by the foundation in 2007 in memory of the legendary music exponent and singer Akshaya Mohanty.

The award, to be presented during the 'Akshaya Utsav', had earlier been bestowed on Manna De and Gulzar in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

The 71-year-old musician, who has been awarded both the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, was appointed 'Knight in Order of Arts and Letters' by the French Ministry of Culture in July this year.