The prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi recently announced its 2018 awards, celebrating excellence in the realm of performing arts. The Academy, India’s national institution for music, dance and drama, honored a multitude of talented artists across various categories including the esteemed Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships (Akademi Ratna), Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar), and the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar.
About the Sangeet Natak Akademi
Established in 1952 by a resolution of the Ministry of Education, the Sangeet Natak Akademi is a nationally recognized entity of India’s Ministry of Culture, completely funded by the Government to execute its schemes and programs. The Akademi’s primary function is to nurture institutions of national significance within performing arts. These include the National School of Drama set up in New Delhi in 1959, the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy in Imphal established in 1954, and the Kathak Kendra (National Institute of Kathak Dance) launched in New Delhi in 1964. Other projects also aim to uphold and enrich the diverse cultural fabric of India, supporting art forms like Kutiyattam (Sanskrit theatre of Kerala), Chhau dances of Eastern India, Sattriya traditions of Assam, and more.
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships (Akademi Ratna)
The Akademi Ratna, awarded to a maximum of only 40 recipients at a given time, is among the most prestigious and exclusive honors bestowed by the Akademi. This year, four eminent personalities have been conferred with this fellowship: Zakir Hussain (Tabla), Sonal Mansingh (Indian classical dancer), Jatin Goswami (Sattriya dance and music), and K.Kalyanasundaram Pillai (Bharatanatyam). Winners receive a cash prize of Rs. 3,00,000/- along with a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.
| Recipient | Award |
|---|---|
| Zakir Hussain | Tabla |
| Sonal Mansingh | Indian classical dance |
| Jatin Goswami | Sattriya dance and music |
| K. Kalyanasundaram Pillai | Bharatanatyam |
Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar)
The Akademi Puraskar is an accolade given to artists for their exceptional contribution in the fields of Music, Dance, Theatre, Traditional/Folk/Tribal Music/Dance/Theatre, Puppetry and Overall contribution/scholarship in the Performing Arts. 44 talented artists were honored this year, including three joint awards. The award includes a cash prize of Rs.1,00,000/-, along with a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.
Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar
This award is conferred upon artists under the age of 40 who have shown remarkable promise in their respective fields of performing arts. The aim is to recognize and encourage young talent early in their careers to drive them towards greater commitment and dedication in their chosen fields. This year, 32 artists, including one joint award recipient, were chosen for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, which carries a cash prize of Rs. 25,000/-.
The Legend of Ustad Bismillah Khan
Ustad Qamruddin “Bismillah” Khan, after whom the Yuva Puraskar was named, is a celebrated Indian musician synonymous with the Shehnai, a wind instrument. Born in 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar, he is regarded as one of India’s most exceptional classical musicians. He was awarded Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 2001, becoming the third classical musician to achieve it after M.S. Subbalakshmi and Ravi Shankar. He left an indelible mark on the cultural heritage of India and continued to inspire generations of musicians until his death in 2006.
