Chandigarh: Six artistes elected Sangeet Natak Akademi fellows

TNS & Agencies

Chandigarh, February 28

The general council of the Sangeet Natak Akademi has unanimously elected six eminent personalities from the field of performing arts as Akademi fellows (Akademi Ratna). The include author Vinayak Khedekar, veena player R Visweswaran, kathak dancer Sunayana Hazarilal, kuchipudi dancing couple Raja and Radha Reddy, theatre director Dulal Roy and playwright DP Sinha.

As many as 92 personalities from the fields of music, dance, theatre and puppetry were chosen for the Sangeet Natak Akademi award (Akademi Puraskar) for 2022 and 2023. The honour of Akademi Fellow carries a purse of Rs 3 lakh, while the Akademi Award is of Rs 1 lakh, besides a ‘Tamrapatra’ and ‘Angavastram’.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowships and awards will be conferred by the President of India Draupadi Murmu in a special investiture ceremony at a later date. The Awards have been conferred since 1952.

The General Council of the Akademi has also selected 80 young artistes for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the 2022 and 2023. The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar carries a purse of Rs 25,000, along with a ‘Tamrapatra’ and ‘Angavastram’.

Region’s pride

From tricity, six artistes have been chosen for the prestigious awards. Professor Harvinder Singh (Hindustani Vocal), Harvinder Kumar Sharma (Hindustani Instrumental – Sitar), Pali Bhupinder Singh (playwriting), Gurpreet Singh Khalsa (Martial Arts, Punjab) bagged the Akademi Award of Rs 1 lakh. Anureet Pal Kaur (folk music, Punjab) and Harwinder Singh (acting) bagged the Ustad Bismilah Khan Yuva Award 2022-23 (under-40 age category).

“Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi had recommended nine names for these prestigious awards and we are glad to share that six have been chosen as winners. We congratulate all of them,” said Sudesh Sharma, Chairman, Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Classical singer Harvinder Singh said, “Any kind of recognition always encourages you to contribute more towards the work you have been doing so far. It’s a moment of great honour for me and my family.”

On his part, Pali Bhupinder Singh said, “I think it has been nine years since I wrote a play and was distracted by other things, including politics, for the past many years. But this year on my birthday, January 3, I thought of going back to my passion largely due to the request of my children. So, I wrote two plays. This award is an excellent re-launch of sorts.”

Harwinder Singh, who won the award in the youth category in the field of acting, said, “I am overwhelmed and feel blessed. I would like to convey my special thanks to Sangeet Natak Academy for recognising my efforts. I also thank my family and friends.”