IAM Wall of Fame

At the Connect India celebration, the India Association of Minnesota was honored to present the 2026 IAM LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD to DR. A. PAVAN.

This prestigious honor was bestowed in gratitude and deep appreciation of his dedicated service to our community over the years. For more than three decades, Dr. Pavan has served as a visionary Tabla maestro and a "Cultural Treasure," acting as the primary driving force behind the success of IMSOM. By mentoring hundreds of students and bridging cultures through the universal language of music, he has left a profound and lasting impact on the Twin Cities.

We are thrilled to honor Kamalakar Kanajam, Board Member of Swaravedika, with the 2025 Person of the Year Award presented at Connect India! Kamalakar has been a cornerstone of the Twin Cities for years, leading everything from local road clean-ups to empowering our youth through the Presidential Service Awards. His visionary leadership recently united the entire classical music and dance community onto a single, historic two-day stage, fostering a unique sense of belonging for students and teachers alike. With a humble and approachable style, he continues to inspire our community to dream big and give back. Please join us in celebrating Kamalakar’s incredible dedication and impact!

At Connect India 2026, the India Association of Minnesota (IAM) was honored to present the 2025 Past President Award to Ms. Srividya Vaidyanathan in recognition of her dedicated leadership and service. This award is truly well-deserved, honoring over eight years of exemplary commitment across various roles, including her time leading IAM as President this past year. Thank you, Srividya, for your heart and tireless efforts in building a stronger community!