Musician Bhardwaj honoured with Pratibha Pushp Award in Mandi

Umesh Bhardwaj, a renowned art promoter and director of the Sangeet Sadan, was conferred the prestigious Pratibha Pushp Award here on Friday in recognition of his significant contribution to music and cultural promotion in the state.

The US-based Pratibha Pushp Foundation presented the award during its ninth annual ceremony held at the Khatri Sabha Bhawan in Mandi. Several eminent personalities, including YP Kapoor, representatives of various city institutions, and art lovers, filled the auditorium to capacity.

Noted singer and educationist Shukla Sharma, who is fondly known as the “Swar Kokila” of Himachal Pradesh, conferred the award. She honoured Bhardwaj with a memento and a cheque for Rs 25,000 and praised his dedicated efforts in nurturing the young talent and promoting classical and cultural arts through the Sangeet Sadan.

Pushp Kapoor, director of the foundation, was also present. Kapoor had consistently contributed to several social and cultural initiatives in Mandi. He said the Pratibha Pushp Award had been conferred continuously for nine years, honouring individuals from the fields of art, culture, sports etc.

Kapoor said due to some reasons, the foundation would discontinue the ceremony from next year. Instead, it planned to extend focused support to a select initiatives that directly benefit budding artistes. In this regard, he declared that the foundation would sponsor the annual training camp organised by the Sangeet Sadan every May for emerging artistes. The foundation would bear the complete expenses of around 25 to 30 participating children every year.