New Delhi, June 23 -- Eminent Carnatic mridangam maestro Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam has been conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award for his outstanding contribution to the field of art.

President Droupadi Murmu presented the honour to the celebrated percussionist at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Expressing his joy after receiving the award, Bakthavathsalam said, "I am very happy for this award. I feel very proud and I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Draupadi Murmu and the award committee."

The Padma Shri awardee described the recognition as the culmination of decades of dedication to music.

"I am extremely happy I was born in Thiruvarur. The music trinities was born in Thiruvarur. If I rebirth, I want to ...