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Folk Artist Gafruddin Mewati's Life Struggle Culminates in Padma Shri Honour

Folk artist Gafruddin Mewati from Alwar, Rajasthan, has been selected for the Padma Shri award for his distinguished contributions to art. He expressed immense happiness, stating his life's struggles have finally yielded recognition for his work in preserving folk traditions. Mewati is renowned for playing the Bhapang and performing various folk forms across villages and national stages. The Centre announced 131 Padma awards this year, including honours for other notable figures from various fields.

Key Points: Gafruddin Mewati Awarded Padma Shri for Folk Art Preservation

  • Honoured for preserving Rajasthani folk art
  • Master of the traditional Bhapang instrument
  • Art passed down through eight generations
  • Among 131 Padma awardees this year
3 min read

"My life struggles yielded results": Folk artist Gafruddin Mewati conferred Padma Shri Award in Art

Folk artist Gafruddin Mewati receives Padma Shri 2026 for preserving Rajasthani culture and the Bhapang instrument. Read about his journey and other awardees.

"I am very happy that the struggle of my life has finally yielded results, and I have received this recognition. - Gafruddin Mewati"

Alwar, January 25

The Centre on Sunday announce that Folk artist Gafruddin Mewati will be honoured with the Padma Shri award in 2026 for his distinguished contributions to the field of Art.

He will recieve the honour - the the fourth-highest civilian award of the country.

Speaking to ANI, Mewati expressed his happiness, stating that the struggles of his life have finally yielded results and that he has finally received this recognition.

"I am very happy that the struggle of my life has finally yielded results, and I have received this recognition... For seven years, I went from village to village, learning and preserving this art with my father. I have taught it to many children and to others. This is my eighth generation... My children are ready; my son and grandsons are learning as well... This tradition has been very important to me... I have also performed Ghazals, Qawwalis, folk songs of Braj, Bhajans, Mewati, and Doha Dhani..." said Mewati.

Gafruddin Mewati is among the select folk artists of Rajasthan who have kept Rajasthani culture alive through their art, performing in small villages and hamlets as well as on prestigious national stages. He is especially renowned for playing the Bhapang and narrating stories through traditional folk songs. The Bhapang, a folk instrument that is now part of a fading tradition, has become both Mewati's unique identity and his primary artistic medium.

Another folk artist from Rajasthan, Taga Ram Bheel from Jaisalmer has been conferred with the Padma Shri this year.

The Centre on the eve of the Republic Day today released the list of winners of the Padma Award this year.

This year, the President has approved conferment of 131 Padma Awards -- 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced the awardees for the Padma Awards. These awards are conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (for distinguished service of a high order), and Padma Shri (for distinguished service in any field).

The awards recognise excellence across various disciplines, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.

The Padma Vibhushan was conferred posthumously to former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandhan and veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra Singh Deol for public affairs and art. Additionally, the Padma Bhushan was awarded to legendary playback singer Alka Yagnik, veteran politician Shibu Soren, and renowned actor Mammootty.

These Padma Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March or April every year.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Padma Shri for Gafruddin Mewati and Taga Ram Bheel in the same year! Rajasthan's folk culture is truly being celebrated. We need to ensure these art forms are taught in schools, not just kept alive in families. A great step, but more institutional support is needed.
R
Rohit P
"The struggle of my life has finally yielded results" – this line hit me. So many artists work in obscurity for decades. Kudos to the committee for looking beyond the metros and big cities. Jai ho!
M
Michael C
As someone who has travelled through Rajasthan, the folk music is unforgettable. It's the soul of the place. Awards like this give hope that these unique sounds won't be lost to time. Congratulations to all the awardees!
S
Shreya B
While I'm happy for the recognition, I do wish the process was a bit more transparent every year. Sometimes it feels very political. That said, no one can take away from Gafruddin ji's lifetime of achievement. He has earned this a thousand times over.
K
Karthik V
Eighth generation! That's legacy. His son and grandsons are learning too. This is how culture survives. More power to his family and to all the folk artists keeping our diverse traditions alive. 🇮🇳

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