The President of India, Droupadi Murmu presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puruskar) for the year 2019, 2020 and 2021 in New Delhi on Thursday.
Addressing the event, the President said that the civilization showcases the material achievements of a nation but intangible heritage reveals through its culture. The true identity of a nation lies in its culture. India’s unique performing arts have kept our incredible culture alive for centuries. Our arts and artists are the carriers of our rich cultural heritage. ‘Unity in diversity’ is the biggest feature of our cultural traditions.
She took to twitter to tweet, “I congratulate all the artists and artists who have been honored with ‘Akademi Ratna’ and ‘Akademi Award’. I am told that this award is the highest national honor in the field of performing arts. Therefore, I extend special congratulations to all the award winners for this achievement.”
मैं ‘अकादमी रत्न’ और ‘अकादमी पुरस्कार’ से सम्मानित किए गए सभी कलाकारों और कलाविदों को बहुत-बहुत बधाई देती हूं। मुझे बताया गया है कि यह पुरस्कार performing arts के क्षेत्र में सर्वोच्च राष्ट्रीय सम्मान है। अतः इस उपलब्धि के लिए मैं सभी पुरस्कार विजेताओं को विशेष बधाई देती हूं। pic.twitter.com/V74j7XwpVa
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 23, 2023
The President said that in our tradition, art is a spiritual practice,a means of seeking the truth, a means of prayer and devotion, and a means of promoting social welfare in our culture. Dance and music are other ways that a group can display its excitement and cohesiveness. Language diversity and regional features are woven together through art.
The President stated that we should be proud of the fact that our nation has produced the oldest and best definitions and traditions of art. In the present day, our cultural values have gained more relevance. Indian arts can promote peace and harmony in the tense and violent world of today. The best illustration of India’s soft power is Indian art.
The President said that just as nature’s gifts like air and water do not recognize human limitations, the art forms are also above language and geographical boundaries. The music of M. S. Subbulakshmi, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Bhupen Hazarika are unhindered by language or geography. With their immortal music, they have left an invaluable legacy for music lovers not only in India but all over the world.