On March 6, 2024, in a special ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu presented the esteemed Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards and Fellowships, recognizing and celebrating exceptional talent in India’s vibrant performing arts landscape.
The ceremony saw the conferment of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the years 2022 and 2023 upon 91 distinguished artists, encompassing diverse fields within the performing arts. Two of these awards were presented jointly. This prestigious recognition serves as a testament to the artists’ dedication and mastery in their respective disciplines, encompassing music, dance, theatre, and folk and tribal arts.
The ceremony also witnessed the conferment of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna), the highest honour bestowed upon artists in the performing arts domain. This year, seven exemplary artists received this recognition, each with a remarkable career marked by exceptional contributions and lasting impact. The awardees included luminaries like Vinayak Khedekar (Music) and R. Visweswaran (Music) from the field of music, Sunayana Hazarilal (Dance) and the joint fellowship recipients Raja & Radha Reddy (Dance) from the dance domain, and Dulal Roy (Theatre) and D.P. Sinha (Theatre) from the field of theatre.
The event served as a platform for dignitaries to celebrate the profound impact of art on society. President Murmu highlighted the multifaceted role of art, emphasizing its potential as a powerful social force that contributes to societal awakening and well-being. She further underscored the significance of art as a source of national pride, reflecting India’s rich cultural heritage and diverse tapestry.
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, present at the ceremony, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to empowering the performing arts, recognizing them as a treasured form of “soft power.” He commended the Sangeet Natak Akademi for its pivotal role in preserving and promoting these vibrant art forms, along with safeguarding and protecting India’s intangible cultural heritage. The Minister also acknowledged the Akademi’s noteworthy initiative, “Kala Deeksha,” which has successfully revived over 100 rare art forms on the verge of extinction through dedicated training programs.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards, instituted in 1952, hold immense significance in the realm of Indian performing arts. These awards symbolize the pinnacle of artistic achievement and recognize the sustained contributions of individuals who have enriched and elevated their respective art forms. Each award recipient carries a legacy of excellence, serving as an inspiration for future generations to pursue artistic endeavours with dedication and passion.
