The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy awards will be conferred on 17 persons this year representing different fields of music and dance.

The awards were announced by the Minister for Culture M.A.Baby and the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Chairman Muraleedharan here on Friday.

From the family film Poovachal Khadar, the famous lyricist will be honored for light songs. The others named for the awards include Seethalakshmi Ammal(Classical music),Karivelloor Murali(Playwright),Pazhayannoor K.G.Krishnankutty(Nathaswaram), C.Rajendran(Violin), Alappuzha Chandrasekharan Nair(Thalavadyam) and K.P.A.C.Chandrasekharan(Light music) Meanwhile, the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy fellowships will be conferred on Kathakali legend Kalamandalam Gopi, K.P.A.C.Khan(Drama) and T.V.Gopalakrishnan(Mridangam).

The awards and prizes carry Rs.7500 and Rs.5000 each besides a citation and plaque.

The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy located in Thrissur and established on April 12, 1938, works in close collaboration with the kendra Sangeetha Nataka Academy for the enrichment of Indian culture