A grand felicitation ceremony was held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) on Tuesday to honour five distinguished personalities who have been conferred with the Padma Shri award for their outstanding contributions in the fields of art and temple architecture. The IGNCA specially invited these eminent figures to recognise and celebrate their exemplary work. The awardees honoured at the event included: renowned art historian Prof. Ratan Parimoo for his contributions to the field of art; eminent musicologist and educationist Prof. Bharat Gupt for his work in the field of classical arts; acclaimed sculptor Shri Adwaita Charan Gadanayak; distinguished temple architect Shri Radhakrishnan Sthapathy; and celebrated Maand and Bhajan singer Begum Batool for her contribution to the preservation and performance of traditional music. The event was envisioned by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, whose initiative brought together this celebration of distinguished contributions. It was presided over by Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh, renowned Nritya Guru, scholar, and former Rajya Sabha member, who chaired the session with grace and insight.

In her address, Dr. Sonal Mansingh began by warmly congratulating the Padma awardees and acknowledged their contributions as an integral part of India’s cultural heritage. She remarked that such individuals serve as an inspiration to society and play a vital role in preserving and sustaining our traditions. Reflecting on the unique spirit of the IGNCA, Dr. Mansingh observed that those who become associated with the institution often develop a bond that endures for a lifetime. She reaffirmed IGNCA’s standing as a centre of excellence, recognised for fulfilling its responsibilities with precision, consistency, and unwavering commitment. Even the most demanding tasks, she remarked, are carried out with exceptional efficiency and integrity at IGNCA. She added that this

‘National Centre for the Arts’ stands as a true emblem of Indian art.

On this occasion, Member Secretary of IGNCA, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, in his welcome address, remarked that each of the Padma Shri awardees being honoured shares, in one way or another, a deep connection with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. He expressed that it is a matter of pride and honour for IGNCA to be able to felicitate such distinguished scholars from its own platform. Referring to Adwaita Gadanayak, he said, “Adwaita is truly Advitiya (unique).” Dr. Joshi affectionately addressed Begum Batool as an elder sister and highlighted that Radhakrishnan Sthapathy, though a trained engineer by profession chose to leave engineering behind to carry forward his father’s tradition of temple architecture. He emphasised that the bond being celebrated today is not merely one of recognition, but of a deeply rooted familial and emotional connection with IGNCA.

Reflecting on the significance of this year’s Padma Awards, Dr. Joshi noted that while the annual announcements always bring pride, this year felt particularly personal. On the night the honours were declared, he personally called twenty-two individuals to extend his congratulations. Among those recognised were President of IGNCA, Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, conferred with the Padma Bhushan, and Trustee of IGNCA, Shri Vasudev Kamath, along with Prof. Bharat Gupt-both recipients of the Padma Shree. Their long-standing and meaningful association with IGNCA, like that of the other awardees being felicitated, made this celebration especially memorable.

Prof. Sudhir Lall, HoD, Kalakosh Division, IGNCA, offered an insightful introduction to the distinguished contr

ibutions of Prof. Bharat Gupt and Prof. Ratan Parimoo, highlighting their enduring impact in the realms of classical thought and art history. Prof. Achal Pandya, HoD, Conservation and Cultural Archives Division, IGNCA, elaborated on the life and work of Shri D. Radhakrishnan Sthapathy, drawing attention to his dedication to the sculptural traditions of South India and his commitment to preserving indigenous forms. Prof. Richa Kamboj, HoD, Kaladarsana Division, IGNCA, presented a comprehensive profile of Shri Adwaita Gadanayak, delving into his significant achievements as a sculptor and arts administrator. Shri Anurag Punetha, Controller, Media Centre, IGNCA, introduced Begum Batool with warmth and reverence, offering a detailed account of her contributions to the preservation and promotion of oral and folk traditions.

On this occasion, all five Padma Shri awardees also shared their thoughts and expressed their heartfelt gratitude to IGNCA for organising this felicitation ceremony. Begum Batool delighted the audience by singing the famous Rajasthani folk song “Kesariya Balam Padharo Mhare Des” in her resonant voice.

Held at the Samvet Auditorium, the event saw participation from scholars, students, and art connoisseurs from Delhi and across the country. The speakers lauded the contributions of the awardees, describing them as guardians of India’s cultural consciousness. Organised by IGNCA, the ceremony was not only a gesture of honour but also an inspiring initiative to carry forward the legacy of Indian artistic traditions to the younger generation.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2125327)