In honour of the Nightingale of India and with a view to recognise and felicitate practitioners of Fine Arts who take to teaching, moving away from the lucrative performing arts, the Sabha set up, during the Golden Jubilee year in 2002, this award. Possibly, this is the only award for which consent was given by the late Dr. M. S. Subbulakshmi to be named after her. The award carries a citation, a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000/-, a big lamp and a shawl. The award is given on the date of birth of Smt. Subbulakshmi viz 16th September or closer thereto

Dr. Manjula Sriram (born 22.12.1952) started formal training at the age of 6. After moving to Mysore, she continued her advanced training under Prof. Dr. Gowri Kuppaswamy, Emeritus Professor of Music in the University of Mysore. She did her B.Music in 1971, M.Music in 1973 and Ph.D all from the University of Mysore. She has trained many young talents in Carnatic Music. Several of her students have emerged as leading Carnatic vocalists of our times. She served as a Senior Lecturer (1994 – 2004) at the Teachers Training College, Madras Music Academy.