"This award is the result of my hard work": Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam on receiving Padma Shri
New Delhi, June 23
Eminent Carnatic mridangam maestro Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam has been conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award for his outstanding contribution to the field of art.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the honour to the celebrated percussionist at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Expressing his joy after receiving the award, Bakthavathsalam said, "I am very happy for this award. I feel very proud and I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Draupadi Murmu and the award committee."
The Padma Shri awardee described the recognition as the culmination of decades of dedication to music.
"I am extremely happy I was born in Thiruvarur. The music trinities was born in Thiruvarur. If I rebirth, I want to pray the God, and again I want to be born in Thiruvarur. This is an important award for me. This is the 4th Civilian Award in India. I got this for 60 years of my hard work. This Padma Award is the result of my hard work," he said to ANI.
Known for his distinguished mastery of the Tanjore style of percussion, Bakthavathsalam is regarded as one of the leading exponents of Carnatic percussion. Hailing from a musical family in Tamil Nadu, he has built a remarkable 60-year legacy as a performer and revered guru.
The honour was conferred during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony of the Padma Awards 2026. On June 23, President Droupadi Murmu presented a total of 65 Padma Awards, including two Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan and 56 Padma Shri awards.
Among the other Padma Shri recipients were Dr Padma Gurmet, recognised for the preservation and promotion of the Himalayan medical tradition of Sowa-Rigpa; Dr Prabhakar Basaprabhu Kore, noted for his contributions to education, healthcare and the cooperative sector; and haematologist Suresh Hanagavadi, who has dedicated four decades to the treatment of haemophilia.
The first Civil Investiture Ceremony for the Padma Awards 2026 was held on May 26, during which 66 Padma Awards were conferred.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's heartening to see artists like him being honored. The Padma Shri is not just a medal; it's a validation of decades of sweat and soul. His mastery of the Tanjore style is legendary—our classical arts deserve every bit of this spotlight. Wish we had more such coverage in mainstream media!
While I'm happy for the awardee, I can't help but wonder about the timing. With so many pressing issues in the country—unemployment, inflation, farmer distress—the government seems to focus more on Padma award ceremonies than real problems. A small criticism: these events feel like PR exercises for the ruling party.
His comment about wanting to be reborn in Thiruvarur touched me deeply. That's the kind of pride we need to have in our roots. Carnatic music is a treasure, and artists like him are its guardians. Congratulations, sir! 🎶✨
Great to see a percussionist getting such recognition. Usually, vocalists dominate the limelight. His 60-year legacy as a performer and guru is phenomenal. But let's be honest—there are many unsung artists in the villages who never get a Padma. This system is still too centralized in Delhi.
Heartfelt congratulations! 🙏 The mridangam is the heartbeat of a Carnatic concert, and Bakthavathsalam ji has kept that rhythm alive for decades. I hope the government also supports our temples and sabhas, which nurture such talent. Without them, these awards mean little.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.