Playback singers Rupankar, Bela Shende win National Award

Rupankar and Bela Shende have been adjudged the best male and female playback singer, respectively, for the 61st National Film Awards announced here Wednesday.

Rupankar's rendition of "E tumi kemom tumi" for Bengali film "Jaatishwar" and Shende's song "Khura khura" from the Marathi movie "Tuhya Dharma Koncha" have been lauded by the jury.

In the best music direction category, Kabir Suman has won for the songs in "Jaatishwar", and Shantanu Moitra's work in Telugu film "Na Bangaaru Talli" has been adjudged the best as far as the background score is concerned.

Na. Muthukumar's lyrics for "Ananda yaazhai" from Tamil film "Thanga Meengal" won the best lyrics award.

The best choreography award has been bestowed on Ganesh Acharya for the song "Masto ka jhund" from "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", which has been named the best popular film providing wholesome entertainment.