The Music Academy conferred its first Natya Kala Acharya award on renowned Bharatanatyam exponent Dr Padma Subrahmanyam.

The award carrying a prize money of Rs one lakh, a citation and gold medal was presented to her at the inauguration of the sixth dance festival. The award has been instituted by Injikollai  Krishnan and Leela Krishnan.

Honouring Padma, Stefan Weckbach, Consul General of The Federal Republic of Germany said, 'she was the perfect choice for the award. The ongoing Germany and India 2011-2012 Infinite Opportunities Event being observed through a series of programmes sought to facilitate cultural exchange between the two countries', he said.

Padma said that she was happy to receive the award at a time which coincided with the centenary celebrations of her mother and guru Vazhuvoor Ramiah Pillai.

'I began teaching since the age of 14. The research I pursue feeds my dance and dance guides my research', she said.

Padma said that she would use the prize money awarded to her for sculpting the idol of Bharatamuni in the shrine at Bharata Ilango Foundation. Sreedhar Potarazu spoke.