Renowned thavil maestro Shri P. Datchanamoorthy from Puducherry has been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the Government of India for his outstanding contribution to the field of Art. This honour recognizes his lifelong dedication to preserving and promoting the rich tradition of Carnatic percussion music.
With a career spanning over five decades, Shri Datchanamoorthy has performed in more than 15,000 events, captivating audiences with the rhythmic power of the thavil, a traditional South Indian percussion instrument. He hails from a distinguished family of musicians, with his father and grandfather also being respected artists in the nadaswaram and thavil tradition.
Reacting to the award, Shri Datchanamoorthy expressed heartfelt gratitude, calling the Padma Shri a “vibrant recognition” of traditional Indian arts. “This award belongs not just to me, but to all those who have kept our heritage alive,” he said.
He has mentored countless young musicians and has been instrumental in popularizing the thavil in national and international platforms. His efforts have not only preserved a key aspect of South Indian temple music but have also brought it into the mainstream cultural consciousness.
The award was conferred at a formal ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu presented him the Padma Shri in the presence of dignitaries and fellow awardees.
Shri P. Datchanamoorthy’s recognition stands as a proud moment for Puducherry and a reminder of the timeless value of India’s cultural traditions.
