Eleven distinguished artists and practitioners who have made outstanding contributions to the fields of art and culture were honoured with the Academy Awards 2024 at a grand ceremony, where Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Shri Brajesh Pathak presented the awards to the recipients. The event was attended by several eminent personalities from the worlds of art, music, theatre, and culture.
Among the awardees, renowned Indian classical vocalists Pandit Ritesh-Rajnish Mishra, sons of Padma Bhushan late Pandit Rajan Mishra, received the Academy Award in the Classical Vocal Music category. Accepting the honour, the Mishra brothers dedicated the award to their revered father, late Pandit Rajan Mishra, and said that the recognition would further inspire them to carry forward the rich tradition of Indian classical music.
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For nearly 35 years, the Mishra brothers have established themselves as leading exponents of Hindustani classical music, particularly Khayal singing. Their performances have taken the Banaras Gharana tradition to new heights both in India and abroad.
The other award recipients include Ms. Mukta Chatterjee of Lucknow for Light Vocal Music, Shri Ramnath Pandey of Raebareli for Folk Singing (Alha), Ms. Sugam Singh Shekhawat of Gorakhpur for Folk Dance, Shri Mangal Prasad of Varanasi for Dukkar Instrumental Performance, Shri Sukhdev Mishra for Violin, and Shri Rajesh Shah for Sitar.
In the field of theatre, Ms. Sushma Sharma of Prayagraj was honoured for Theatre Direction, while Shri Ravikant Shukla ‘Shibbu’ of Lucknow received the award for Theatre Acting. Shri Rajesh Pandit of Agra was recognised for Art Promotion, and Mrs. Shashiprabha Tiwari of Deoria was honoured for her notable contribution to Art Criticism.
On the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Brajesh Pathak said that artists are the custodians of the cultural identity of any society and nation. He added that such honours not only acknowledge years of dedication and artistic excellence but also inspire the younger generation to preserve and promote India’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.
Prominent members of the art fraternity present at the ceremony congratulated all the awardees, stating that their achievements would play a significant role in strengthening the country’s cultural legacy. The Academy Awards are regarded as one of the prestigious honours that encourage excellence in the fields of Indian art, music, dance, and theatre.
