The Vice President recently honored 44 eminent artists with Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship and Awards for the year 2018. In addition, the Vice President also presented the Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowships and National Awards for the year 2021 to 23 individuals.
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship and Awards Explained
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, or Akademi Ratna, is the highest honor given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. It isn’t restricted by nationality, race, caste, religion, creed, or sex. This prestigious title, only limited to 40 people at any one time, includes a prize sum of Rs.3,00,000/-, a Tamrapatra, and an Angavastram.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards recognize contributions in Music, Dance, Theatre, Traditional/Folk/Tribal Music/Dance/Theatre, Puppetry, and other Performing Arts. Each Akademi Puraskar recipient receives Rs 1,00,000/-, a Tamrapatra, and an Angavastrum.
The Lalit Kala Akademi Award
The Lalit Kala Akademi Award is a national recognition for incredible work in art. A judge panel nominated by the Akademi selects winners for this award.
About the Sangeet Natak Akademi
Established in 1952 under the resolution of the Ministry of Education, the Sangeet Natak Akademi is the national academy for music, dance, and drama. Dr. P.V. Rajamannar served as its first Chairman. Currently, the Akademi operates as an Autonomous Body of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and is fully funded by the government. The Akademi also oversees institutions and projects of national importance in performing arts.
Major Institutions under the Sangeet Natak Akademi
Notable institutes under the Sangeet Natak Akademi include the National School of Drama (1959), the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (1954), and the Kathak Kendra (1964). It also supports significant national projects like Kutiyattam, the Sanskrit theatre of Kerala, Chhau dances of eastern India, and Sattriya traditions of Assam.
The Lalit Kala Akademi
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the then Minister for Education, inaugurated the Lalit Kala Akademi on August 5th, 1954. The Akademi received statutory authority in 1957 under the Societies Registration Act 1860. The Lalit Kala Akademi promotes the creative works of Indian artists and makes them accessible to a broad audience. The Akademi plays a vital role in shaping and redefining a culture’s sensibility within the visual arts spectrum. Its headquarters are located in New Delhi.
In Relation to the UPSC Civil Services Examination
In the Civil Services Examination of 2009, there was a question that asked about the National School of Drama’s establishment by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1959 and whether the highest honor bestowed by the Sahitya Akademi on a writer is electing him as its Fellow. The correct answer was both statements are true.