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Nanjamma makes it big on the mini-screen singing the title song for Zee Keralam’s Karthikadeepam
NEW DELHI: Nanjamma, the 60-year-old singer, from the rural innards of Attappadi has for another time made a sensational hit on the social media platform with her singing. This time she has sung the title song for the new fiction 'Karthikadeepam' in ZEE Keralam. The song also has another significance as it marks the music composer Gopi Sundar's foray into Malayalam mini-screen for the first time.
The veteran singer who rose to fame with her rendering of a folksong in her native tribal language for the Malayalam film 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum' pairs with Malayalam playback singer Vijayalakshmi in the new song. ZEE Keralam has released the song through its social media handle and it is already trending online. ZEE Keralam has earlier honoured Nanjamma by inviting her as the special guest to the viral music reality show in the channel 'SaReGaMaPa Keralam'.
Nanjamma, who hails from Nakkupathy Pirivu Ooru in Attappady, has been an active member of Azad Kala Samithi, performing the dance and music of the region across Kerala and outside the state.
Karthika Deepam is the new serial from Zee Keralam that goes on air from July 13, Monday onwards. The serial tells the story of an orphaned girl and her efforts to outgrow her fate. Snisha Chandran plays the female lead in the serial and Vivek Gopan is the male lead. Known film actor Yadu Krishnan is making his comeback to the mini-screen through Karthikadeepam.
The link for the song is below: https://www.facebook.com/ZeeKeralam/videos/1734652303364187/
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
