Astad Deboo, a pioneer of Contemporary Dance in India, was conferred the 'Yagnaraman Living Legend Award' by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha during the valedictory function of the Yagnaraman July Fest on 1st July 2018. The 'Yagnaraman Award of Excellence' was conferred on versatile percussionist V. Selvaganesh. Senior dance critic and writer Leela Venkataraman presented the awards and Fazal Quereshi felicitated the awardees. Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti, R. Venkateswaran and Saashwathi Prabhu of Sri Krishna Gana Sabha also participated in the proceedings.