Violin wizard Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu memorial award was given away to renowned artistes of Sannai and Dolu Gurivilli Appanna and Gurivilli Durga Rao at Kalabharati here on Tuesday.

Visakha Music Academy presented this award at the inaugural session of its 45{+t}{+h} edition of annual seven-day festival of music and dance. Andhra University Vice Chancellor G. S. N. Raju along with academy’s chief patron and chairman Vijaya Nirman Pvt Ltd S Vijayakumar and academys president SV Rangarajan gave away the award and warmly felicitated the artistes.

Senior scientist in NSTL M. Sandhya presented a cash award of Rs 10,000 which she has constituted in memory of her mother M Radha. Noted violinist M.S.N. Murthy along with his vocalist wife Pantula Rama besides renowned mridangist V.V. Ramana Murthy warmly honoured the duo with shawls.

Born in Timadaam, a nonde village in Jalumuru mandal of Srikakulam district, Gurivilli brothers took to music quite early and made their mark as artistes of substance. S Vijayakumar complimented the duo for their remarkable success in the realm of Carnatic Classical music. Secretary of the academy M.S. Srinivas, Ayyagari Bhujangarao, Sripada Venkanna, N Ramachandran, Pantula Narasinga Rao, VSN Murthy and Krishnarao took part in the felicitation. Dr Perala Balamurali Krishna compered the event.