President Murmu Confers Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards
President urges preservation of India's artistic heritage, says artists shape the nation's cultural memory and future
- President Droupadi Murmu presented Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards for 2024 and 2025.
- She highlighted the role of artists in preserving India’s cultural traditions and collective memory.
- President stressed the importance of the Guru-Shishya tradition and protecting endangered folk art forms.
- Sangeet Natak Akademi’s ‘Kala-Diksha’ initiative was praised for nurturing the next generation of artists.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 13th Aug: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for the years 2024 and 2025, honouring eminent artists for their outstanding contributions to India’s performing arts.
Addressing the award ceremony in New Delhi, the President said the distinguished artists collectively represent India’s rich cultural landscape, reflecting the country’s diverse traditions of music, dance, theatre, languages and folk heritage. She described artists as the custodians of India’s collective memory and the architects of its cultural future.
“Artists, as bearers of Indian tradition, are the guardians of our collective memory and the creators of our vision for the future,” President Murmu said while congratulating the awardees.
She observed that India’s performing arts are deeply rooted in nature, with music, dance, festivals, cuisine and traditional attire drawing inspiration from the country’s natural environment. She said this harmony between diversity and unity remains one of the greatest strengths of Indian culture.
Emphasising the importance of preserving traditional knowledge, the President highlighted the enduring relevance of the Guru-Shishya tradition, describing the Guru as the most valuable source of learning in Indian art forms. She expressed concern that several folk art traditions face the risk of disappearing in today’s rapidly changing world and stressed the need for systematic documentation and sustained efforts to keep them alive.
President Murmu appreciated the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s ‘Kala-Diksha’ programme, which aims to preserve traditional art forms through structured mentorship. She urged senior artists to actively train younger generations to ensure the continuity of India’s rich artistic heritage.
Highlighting the significance of folk and tribal arts, the President said these traditions embody the collective memory and consciousness of communities while reflecting their close relationship with nature. She described them as a vital foundation of India’s cultural identity.
The President also noted that the Sangeet Natak Akademi has emerged as an important institution contributing to India’s soft power and expressed confidence that it would continue promoting the country’s cultural heritage globally through its initiatives and artistic excellence.
