13-05-2024

Art Personalities

The Bhupen Hazarika Bridge, also known as

Dr. Bhupendra Kumar Hazarika,

the Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, links Assam and
Arunachal Pradesh over the Lohit River.
Stretching 9.15 kilometers, it stands as
also known as 'Sudha Kantha', was a celebrated Assamese India's second longest water bridge,
singer, lyricist, musician, poet, actor, filmmaker, professor, facilitating crucial connectivity between
and politician. The Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, connecting Assam northern Assam and eastern Arunachal
Pradesh.
and Arunachal Pradesh, was named in his honor. He was
affectionately referred to as the 'Bard of Brahmaputra’
Awards : Bharat Ratna (2019 -Posthumous),
Padma Vibhushan (2012 -posthumously),
Padma Bhushan (2001),
Padma Shri (1977),
Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1992),
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987),
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2008),
Asom Ratna (2008),
Friends of Liberation War Honour given by Bangladesh
(2012).

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Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi

He was a distinguished vocalist belonging to the
Kirana Gharana, renowned for his mastery of the
khyal form of singing.
Making his debut in live music at just 19 years old in
1941, he released his debut album the following
year, featuring devotional songs in Marathi and
Hindi.
Sawai Gandharva was his Guru.
Among his many accolades are the Bharat Ratna
(2009), Padma Shri (1972), Padma Bhushan (1985),
Padma Vibhushan (1999), Sangeet Natak Akademi
Award (1976), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
(1998), Maharashtra Bhushan (2002), and Karnataka
Ratna (2005).

Lata Mangeshkar
known as 'The Queen of Melody', 'Nightingale of
Bollywood', and 'Swar Kokila', began her illustrious
career by recording her first song at the age of 13
for a Marathi film titled "Kiti Hasaal". She was a
pupil of Aman Ali Khan from the Bhendibazar
gharana. In recognition of her contributions, the
Madhya Pradesh government instituted the Lata
Mangeshkar Awards for music in 1984. Among her
numerous honors are the Bharat Ratna (2001),
Padma Bhushan (1969), Padma Vibhushan (1999),
Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1989), Sangeet Natak
Akademi Fellowship (1989), National Order of the
Legion of Honour (France's highest civilian award)
in 2009, and Maharashtra Bhushan in 1997.

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Ustad Bismillah Khan

Ustad Bismillah Khan, also known as Qamaruddin Khan,
was a renowned Shehnai player famously remembered
for performing at the first Independence Day
celebration in 1947.
In his honor, the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar was
instituted by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2006 to
recognize young artists under 40.
Additionally, a theatre in Tehran, Iran, bears his name.
Among his notable awards are the Bharat Ratna (2001),
Padma Vibhushan (1980), Padma Bhushan (1968),
Padma Shri (1961), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
(1956), and Tahar Mausique from the Republic of Iran in
1992.

M.S. Subbulakshmi
M.S. Subbulakshmi, an illustrious Carnatic singer
hailing from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, was honoured by
the United Nations Organization in August 2016 for
her outstanding contributions to music. She holds
the distinction of being the first Indian singer to
perform before the UN General Assembly in 1966.
Among her numerous accolades are the Ramon
Magsaysay Award (1974)(First Indian Musician for
her public service ), Bharat Ratna (1998), Padma
Bhushan (1954), Padma Vibhushan (1975), Sangeet
Natak Akademi Award (1956), Sangeetha Kalanidhi
(1968), and the Indira Gandhi Award for National
Integration (1990).

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru once humbly remarked about M.S. Subbulakshmi, "Who am I, a mere Prime Minister before
a Queen, a Queen of Music."

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Satyajit Ray
Satyajit Ray, an iconic figure in Indian cinema, excelled
as a film director, writer, and composer. He is renowned
for directing acclaimed films such as “Pather Panchali”
(1955), “Aparajito” (1956), "Apur Sansar" (1959), “Devi"
(1960), "Two" (1964), "Kapurush" (1965), and "Nayak"
(1966). Among his numerous awards and honors are the
Bharat Ratna (1992), Padma Shri (1958), Padma
Vibhushan (1976), Padma Bhushan (1965), Sangeet
Natak Akademi Puraskar (1959), Ramon Magsaysay
Award (1967), Soviet Land Nehru Award (1985),
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (1986), Commander
of the Legion of Honour by the French government
(1987), Lifetime Achievement Award by Oscars (1992),
and Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1984).

Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain, the renowned tabla player, is the son of
the legendary Ustad Allah Rakha. He is a prominent
member of the band 'Planet Drum' and hails from the
Punjab Gharana of tabla playing. Among his notable
awards are the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1990),
Padma Bhushan (2002), Padma Shri (1988), Padma
Vibhushan, Grammy Award for Best Contemporary
World Music Album (2009), Grammy Award for Best
World Music Album (2009), Sangeet Natak Akademi
Fellowship, Kalidas Samman (2006), and the National
Heritage Fellowship from the United States' National
Endowment for the Arts in 1999, the highest honor for
traditional artists and musicians.

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Girija Devi
Girija Devi, a renowned Thumri singer,
hails from the Banaras Gharana and is
famously known as the 'Queen of
Thumri'. Among her notable awards are
the Padma Vibhushan (2016), Padma Shri
(1972), Padma Bhushan (1989), Sangeet
Natak Akademi Award (1977), and
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
(2010).

Dr. Yamini Krishnamurti

Dr. Yamini Krishnamurti is celebrated for her
mastery in both Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam.
She was bestowed with the title of Asthana Nartaki
("Resident Dancer") by the Tirumala Tirupathi
Devasthanam temple in India. Among her
distinguished awards are the Padma Vibhushan
(2016), Padma Shri (1968), Padma Bhushan (2001),
and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977).

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Sonal Mansingh
Sonal Mansingh is a prominent Indian classical
dancer renowned for her expertise in
Bharatanatyam and Odissi. She achieved the
distinction of being the youngest recipient of
the Padma Bhushan in 1992. Additionally, she
has been honored with the Padma Vibhushan
in 2003 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
in 1987.

Gangubai Hangal
Gangubai Hangal, an iconic vocalist of the
Hindustani classical tradition from the Kirana
Gharana, received several prestigious awards
throughout her career. These include the
Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy Award in
1962, Padma Bhushan in 1971, Padma
Vibhushan in 2002, Sangeet Natak Akademi
Award in 1973, and Sangeet Natak Akademi
Fellowship in 1996.

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Pandit Jasraj Motiram

Pandit Jasraj Motiram, an esteemed Indian classical

vocalist from the Mewati Gharana, was honored by
the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2019
when minor planet 2006 VP32 (number -300128)
was named after him, positioned between Mars and
Jupiter.

Among his distinguished awards are the Padma

Vibhushan (2000), Padma Shri (1975), Padma
Bhushan (1990), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
(1987), Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram (2008), and
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2010).

K B
Kathak
Birju
Kalka
Birju Maharaj Kalashram
Bindadin

Birju Maharaj, born Brijmohan Nath Mishra, was a

prominent Indian dancer, composer, and singer, known
for his mastery of the Lucknow "Kalka-Bindadin"
Gharana of Kathak. He hailed from a prestigious lineage
of Kathak dancers, including his uncles Shambhu
Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father Acchan
Maharaj. Their ancestry can be traced back to Ishwari
Prasad, the first known Kathak teacher. Birju Maharaj
also established the institution "Kalashram" for dance
training. His accolades include the Padma Vibhushan
(1986), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1964), Kalidas
Samman (1987), and Lata Mangeshkar Puraskar (2002).

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Tanjore Balasaraswati

Tanjore Balasaraswati, an iconic Indian

Bharatanatyam dancer, was honored with several
prestigious awards. She was the first female dancer
to receive the Padma Vibhushan in 1977, in
addition to the Padma Bhushan in 1957 and the
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1955. Renowned
Bengali film director Satyajit Ray also made a
documentary film on Balasaraswati named "Bala"
in 1976.

Uday Shankar
Uday Shankar, renowned for pioneering
modern dance in India, introduced his
innovative approach and created his unique
style called 'Hi-dance,' later renamed
'Creative dance.' His contributions earned
him recognition, including the Sangeet Natak
Akademi Award in 1960, Sangeet Natak
Akademi Fellowship in 1962, and the Padma
Vibhushan in 1971.

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Guru Bipin Singh

Guru Bipin Singh, a luminary in the realm of
Manipuri dance, excelled as a director,
choreographer, and teacher. His contributions
were honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi
Award in 1966 and the Kalidas Samman in
1989. Additionally, he was bestowed with the
prestigious titles of Natyacharya and Hanjaba
by the Maharaja of Manipur, further
recognizing his invaluable contributions to the
art form

Rukmani Arundale

Rukmani Arundale, a renowned

Bharatanatyam dancer, made history as the
first woman nominated to the Rajya Sabha in
1952. She founded the esteemed Kalakshetra
Dance School. Her contributions earned her the
Padma Bhushan in 1956, Sangeet Natak
Akademi Award in 1957, and Sangeet Natak
Akademi Fellowship in 1967.

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Deepika Reddy
Deepika Reddy, a renowned Kuchipudi dancer from
Hyderabad, Telangana, has received several
prestigious awards, including the Sangeet Natak
Akademi Award (2017), Kala Ratna Award from the
Government of Andhra Pradesh (2007), and Nritya
Choodamani from Krishna Gana Sabha (2014). She
has also been honored by the Telangana State
Government (2016) and received the Keerthi
Puraskar from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University
(2016).

Alarmel Valli

Alarmel Valli, known for her expertise in the

Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam, founded
the Dipasikha Dance Foundation in Chennai in
1984.

She has been honored with several prestigious

awards, including the Padma Shri Award in
1991, Grande Medaille de la Ville de Paris
Award in 1997, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
in 2001, and Padma Bhushan in 2004.

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Narthaki Nataraj

Narthaki Nataraj, an Indian transgender

Bharatanatyam dancer, has garnered
significant recognition for her artistry.

She received the Padma Shri in 2019,

becoming the first transgender woman
to receive this honor.

Padma Subrahmanyam,
Padma Subrahmanyam, a renowned Indian
classical Bharatanatyam dancer, is celebrated
as the developer and founder of the dance
form Bharata Nrithyam.

Her notable awards include the Sangeet Natak

Akademi Award in 1983, Padma Bhushan in
2003, Padma Shri in 1981, Nehru Award in
1983, and Kerala Nishagandhi Puraskaram in
2015, Padma Vibhushan in 2024

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Mrinalini Sarabhai
Mrinalini Sarabhai, renowned for her expertise
in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi classical dance
forms, co-founded the Darpana Academy of
Performing Arts. Born in Kerala, she left a lasting
legacy in the world of Indian dance.

Her contributions earned her prestigious

awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 1992,
Padma Shri in 1965, and the Sangeet Natak
Akademi Fellowship in 1994.

Mallika Sarabhai
Mallika Sarabhai, known for her expertise in
Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam, received the
prestigious Chevalier des Palmes Académiques
from the French government in 2005.

Her remarkable achievements include the

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000, Padma
Bhushan in 2010, and the French Palme d'Or in
1977, the highest civilian award in France.

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Siddhendra Yogi
Siddhendra Yogi, known as the Adi Guru of
Kuchipudi dance, was a remarkable scholar and
artist of the 14th century AD. He delved deeply
into the principles of dance outlined in the Natya
Shastra, which is considered the Bible of all Indian
classical dance styles. Recognizing the path to
true salvation as devotion to God, he envisioned
the Bhamakalpam dance drama form.

Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma

Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma, a

prominent figure in Kuchipudi, received
several prestigious awards throughout his
career.

These include the Sangeet Natak Akademi

Award in 1961, Sangeet Natak Akademi
Ratna in 1967, Padma Shri in 1970, and
Kalidas Samman in 1988.

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Vempati Chinna Satyam

Vempati Chinna Satyam, a renowned Kuchipudi dancer,
received several esteemed awards and titles in
recognition of his contributions to the art form.

These include the Padma Bhushan in 1998, Sangeet

Natak Akademi Award in 1981, and Kalidas Samman in
1992. He was also honored with titles such as 'Sangeet
Peeth of Bombay,' and received awards like the T.T.K.
Memorial Award, "Raja-Lakshmi Award of Madras," and
"Asthana Natyacharya of Pittsburgh."

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Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra

Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, a renowned Odissi

dancer, co-founded Srjan in 1993 along with his wife,
Laxmipriya Mohapatra, also an Odissi dancer, and
their son Ratikant Mohapatra.

His notable awards include the Padma Vibhushan

(2000), Padma Bhushan (1988), Padma Shri (1974),
and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Dance in
Odissi (1966).

Sanjukta Panigrahi
Sanjukta Panigrahi, renowned as the foremost
exponent of Indian classical dance Odissi, was
honored with the Padma Shri in 1975 and the
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1976.

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Dr. Prabha Atre

Dr. Prabha Atre, an esteemed Indian classical vocalist
from the Kirana Gharana, is renowned for her
versatility in composing bandishes across various song-
forms such as Khyal, Tarana, Thumri, Dadra, Bhajan,
Geet, Ghazal, and Tappa.

Among her notable awards are the Padma Vibhushan

(2022), Padma Shri (1990), Padma Bhushan (2002),
and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1991).

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Sripathi P.
Balasubrahmanyam

Sripathi P. Balasubrahmanyam was a

renowned vocalist in Carnatic Music.

His accolades include the Padma

Vibhushan (2021 - posthumously),
Padma Shri (2001), and Padma Bhushan
(2011).

Sudarshan Sahoo

He is a renowned sculptor from Odisha,

honored with the Padma Vibhushan in 2021,
Padma Shri in 1988, and the Shilp Guru award
in 2003.

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Pandit Chhannulal Mishra

Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, a distinguished

Hindustani classical singer from the Kirana
Gharana, excels in the Khyal and Thumri styles
of singing.

His notable awards include the Padma

Vibhushan in 2020, Padma Bhushan in 2010,
and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2010.

Teejan Bai
Teejan Bai, a renowned folk singer known for her
mastery of Pandavani from Chhattisgarh, has
received numerous accolades for her contributions
to the art form.

Among her notable awards are the Padma

Vibhushan in 2019, Padma Shri in 1988, Padma
Bhushan in 2003, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in
1995, and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in
2022.

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Ilaiyaraaja
Ilaiyaraaja, also known as R.
Gnanathesikan, is a prominent figure in
the Indian film industry, particularly in
Tamil cinema, where he excels as a film
composer, singer, and lyricist.
He has been honored with the Padma
Vibhushan in 2018 and the Padma
Bhushan in 2010 for his contributions to
music and the arts.

Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan

Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, an eminent
figure in the Hindustani classical music
tradition from the Rampur-Sahaswan
Gharana, received several prestigious
awards.

His accolades include the Padma Vibhushan

in 2018, Padma Shri in 1991, Sangeet Natak
Akademi Award in 2003, and Padma
Bhushan in 2006.

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Shri K J Yesudas

Shri K J Yesudas, an esteemed Indian classical

musician and playback singer hailing from
Kerala, has received several prestigious awards
recognizing his contribution to music.

Among his notable accolades are the Padma

Vibhushan in 2017, Padma Bhushan in 2002,
Padma Shri in 1975, and the Sangeet Natak
Akademi Award in 1992

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