Chevalier award for Aruna Sairam

Chennai : Carnatic vocalist, composer, collaborator, humanitarian and speaker Aruna Sairam has been honoured with the French government’s highest honour- Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des award.Aruna Sairam has been selected for this award not just for her singing prowess, but also for her contribution towards development of the Indo-France relationship.Announcing the award, Consul General of France in Chennai Lise Talbot Barré said that the Minister of Culture of the French Republic, Rima Abdul Malak has appointed Aruna Sairam to the rank of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.Lise said, “This award is the unequivocal token of my country’s appreciation for your brilliant career and of your numerous contributions to the French and international artistic scene”.”You have carried for over 30 years the marvelous beauty and subtility of carnatic music in India and accross the world. This award thus underlines the friendship that you have always carried to France.By your performance and your creation you have revolutionized the world of Carnatic music. With your numerous joint programs with French artists and frequent performances in France, you have greatly contributed to bring France and India closer together and develop cultural and artistic cooperation between our two countries,” the Consul General said.Expressing happiness on being selected for the honour, Aruna Sairam said, “I am very happy for getting such a prestigeous award for just doing my duty as a musician and inheritor of the rich cultural heritage of our country. This also gives me additional responsibility to continue what I am doing. This award will help me to take my work to the next level. I thank the French government for their kind gesture.”