President Droupadi Murmu Presents Prestigious National Honors at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi

Mumbai, August 14: Highlighting Maharashtra’s rich tradition in the fields of Indian art and culture, ten eminent artists from the state were honored at the national level with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards. President Droupadi Murmu presented the prestigious awards for the years 2024 and 2025 during a grand ceremony held  at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.

The grand event was graced by the presence of Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation and Minister of State for Culture Rao Inderjit Singh, Ministry of Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal, and Sangeet Natak Akademi Chairperson Dr. Sandhya Purecha.

Artists from Maharashtra were recognized for their exceptional contributions across various genres, including Hindustani classical vocal, Abhang singing, acting, traditional theatre, folk dance, dance research, shehnai playing, direction, Natya Sangeet, and Kathak. 

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is among the most prestigious national honors in the fields of Indian music, dance, theatre, and folk arts, carrying a cash prize, a tamrapatra (copper plaque), and a shawl, awarded to artists in recognition of their sustained excellence and contributions.

2025 Awardees from Maharashtra

Four prominent artists from Maharashtra were honored for the year 2025:

• Shailesh Bhagwat for Shehnai playing.
• Pramod D. Pawar for direction.
• Veteran Music Director Ashok Patki for his remarkable contribution to Natya Sangeet.
• Manisha Sathe for Kathak dance.

2024 Awardees from Maharashtra

Six artists were honored for the year 2024:

• Arun Kashalkar for Hindustani classical vocal.
• Anand Bhate for Hindustani classical vocal.
• Arun Nalawade for acting.
• Mukund Marathe for traditional theatre.
• Subhash Narayan Nakashe for folk dance.
• Shubhada Varadkar for dance research.