President Murmu presents Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowships, awards to over 100 artists
New Delhi, August 13
On Thursday, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards on eminent artists for 2024 and 2025 at a ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the performing artists honoured today collectively present a cultural map of India--a map woven with stories and songs native to this soil; a map that encompasses the dances and festivals of this diverse land and holds the memories of its languages and dialects, shaped over centuries.
The President said that India possesses a multitude of musical traditions, dance styles, and countless forms of folk theatre.
The President said that the Guru-Shishya tradition has played a vital role in India's diverse art forms.
"The Guru serves as the most important book for our arts. In today's rapidly changing times, many of our folk art forms face the threat of extinction. It is essential not only to document such art forms but also to make special efforts to keep them alive," President Murmu noted.
She was happy to note that the Sangeet Natak Akademi is organising the 'Kala-Diksha' program with this very objective. She urged senior artists to make systematic efforts to groom the next generation.
Acclaimed ghazal singer and composer Ustad Yugantar Sindoor, senior Kathak maestro Pandit Rammohan Maharaj of the Kalka-Bindadin Gharana, and veteran photographer Rakesh Sinha were among the distinguished artists felicitated at the ceremony.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is wonderful, but I wish more was done for folk artists at the grassroots level. They struggle to make ends meet while big names get all the limelight. Still, kudos to Sangeet Natak Akademi for trying with initiatives like Kala-Diksha. Hope it actually reaches the villages.
As someone who learned Bharatanatyam for years, this makes me emotional. Our art forms are not just performances; they are living traditions. The President's words about documenting folk art forms are so true - so many are disappearing. We need more government support for artists, especially in smaller towns. 🎭
Great initiative by the government. But let's not forget that these artists need year-round support, not just one ceremony. The real challenge is sustaining interest among the younger generation who are glued to their phones. Maybe we should start by teaching these art forms in schools as compulsory subjects!
So proud of our President's words about the Guru-Shishya tradition! 🙌 My grandmother was a Carnatic singer, and she always said the Guru is everything. It's beautiful to see this heritage being celebrated at such a high level. Congratulations to all the awardees, especially Ustad Yugantar Sindoor ji!
While I appreciate the recognition, I feel we need to look at how modern media is affecting our traditional arts. Maybe the Akademi should also work on creating digital archives and using technology to keep these art forms alive. But overall, a good step in the right direction. 👍
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