Aug 13, 2025: At a lavish ceremony held at the Chennai campus of VIT Vellore, veteran statesman, scholar, and cultural ambassador Dr. Karan Singh received the prestigious Era Sezhiyan Award. Dr. Karan Singh received the honor, which honors outstanding contributions to culture and society, in the presence of several dignitaries, including M Venkaiah Naidu, the former Vice President of India, who presided over the event. The event, which was organized by Dr. G Viswanathan, Chancellor of VIT, who personally invited Dr. Karan Singh, attracted a distinguished audience of academics, students, and cultural enthusiasts. Dr. Karan Singh praised Tamil Nadu's artistic brilliance, literary richness, and classical heritage in his speech, fondly recalling his long association with the state. “Tamil culture is not just a regional treasure-it is a national heritage. India has benefited from its music, dance, architecture, and philosophy for centuries, he said. He emphasized the classical dance form Bharatanatyam, calling it "a perfect synthesis of beauty, discipline, and devotion" that continues to inspire artists all over the country. "Such recognitions strengthen my resolve to continue working for the preservation and promotion of India's diverse cultural traditions," Dr. Karan Singh remarked. A standing ovation at the ceremony's conclusion marked a memorable evening in Chennai's cultural calendar.