{Shyam’s photograph is courtesy Shaji @ shajiwriter.blogspot.com}
From the Times of India, TVM Edition, 19 September 2010
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Noted South Indian film music director Shyam has been selected for the 14th Kamukara Award, instituted in memory of eminent singer Kamukara Purushothaman Nair . Announcing the award, Perumbavoor G Raveendranath, Chairman of Jury, told reporters here that Shyam was chosen for the award for his outstanding contribution to Malayalam film music.
Shyam, a diploma holder in violin from Trinity College in London, had scored music for more than 200 films. He won the state government award for best music direction in 1983 and 1984. The Kamukara award comprises a cash prize of Rs 25,000, memento and citation.
Earlier recipients of the award include K Raghavan, V Dakshinamoorthy, P Leela, K J Yesudas, P Suseela, S Janaki, M S Viswanathan, M G Radhakrishnan and M K Arjunan.
Though Kamukara made his debut into Malayalam Cinema playback singing with Ponkathir (1953), a four line verse during the climax showdown, it was with the tracks of Harishchandra (1955) that became his best , in his career. Specially the most meaningful and memorable of them all, Athma Vidyalayamey, written by Thirunainar Kurichi Madhavan Nair, and set to music by Brother Lakshmanan.
Here is Kamukara’s most memorable song in his playback career.
Update : Dec 7, 2010
S Janaki presents the Kamukara Award to Shyam

From The Hindu | 5 December 2010
The Kamukara Award, instituted by Kamukara Foundation, was presented to music director, Shyam, at a ceremonial function held in Thiruvalla on Saturday evening.
Read the complete article here.