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NJ based TSNPAC founder Nandakumar wins Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
The Carnatic music percussionist will receive a cash prize of ₹1,00,000, a Tamrapatra, and an Angavastram.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Sat, 13, Jun 2026
- 23:44 EDT
- 52
T. S. Nandakumar / Wikimedia commons
Indian-American percussionist T. S. Nandakumar won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2025 in the Overseas – Music (Mridangam) category, the Sangeet Natak Akademi announced on June 10.
Nandakumar, the founder of the New Jersey based TSN’s Percussive Arts Centre Inc. (TSNPAC), is a well known carnatic music percussionist and is primarily known for playing the mridangam.
He was awarded India's highest national honour for sustained excellence and contributions to the performing arts, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (Akademi Puraskar), for his expertise in his field and also for ensuring that it gets passed on to the next generation through TSNPAC.
The award includes a cash prize of ₹1,00,000, a Tamrapatra, and an Angavastram.
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Born in Ambalappuzha, Kerala, Nandakumar developed a strong interest in music when he was four years old. He gained a reputation as an accompanist to some well known names in carnatic music such as Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, M. D. Ramanathan, S. Ramanathan, R. K. Srikantan, Bhimsen Joshi and M. Balamuralikrishna.
Celebrating his win, the Consulate General of India in New York said on X, "Heartiest congratulations to New Jersey-based Mr. T. S. Nandakumar, Founder of TSN’s Percussive Arts Centre Inc. (TSNPAC), New Jersey, on being honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2025 in the Overseas – Music (Mridangam) category."
It added, "A proud recognition of his excellence in Indian classical arts and his dedicated efforts to promote Carnatic music and percussion among the Indian-American community and beyond."
Heartiest congratulations to New Jersey-based Mr. T. S. Nandakumar, Founder of TSN’s Percussive Arts Centre Inc. (TSNPAC), New Jersey, on being honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2025 in the Overseas – Music (Mridangam) category.
— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) June 14, 2026
A proud recognition of his excellence… pic.twitter.com/cBb5pOgeUE
Nandakumar's TSNPAC, an institution dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Indian Classical Music globally, was first opened in Maharashtra, India, and then incorporated in New Jersey, USA.
The organization notes, "TSNPAC serves as a dedicated hub for teaching percussion instruments such as Mridangam, Ghatam, Kanjira, Morsing, and Thavil, along with the art of Konnakol, rooted in the Carnatic style."
Talking about his win, Nandakumar said on X, "I am deeply humbled and truly honored to be selected for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and sincerely thank all the members of the Council for choosing me to receive this honor."
He added, "My heartfelt thanks to all my students, their parents, friends, well-wishers and the entire TSNPAC family for their unwavering support, encouragement and having faith in me. I remain committed to my art both in performance and teaching with dedication, sincerity, and humility."
Apart from Nandakumar, acclaimed Mohiniattam dancer and educator Dr. Sunanda Nair also received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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