President Droupadi Murmu today presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards for the years 2024 and 2025 to over 100 artists in a special investiture ceremony in New Delhi. The awards were given for making contributions towards country’s performing arts, music, dance, theatre, folk and tribal arts, puppetry, traditional theatre and other allied forms. Speaking on the occassion, the President said, the awardees reflects talent and dedication of modern India. She said, music has numerous systems, dances have many styles, and folk theatre has countless forms. She said that artists are playing a vital role in preserving the rich folk culture across the country. (S/B- PRESIDENT) The President expressed concern over country’s folk art forms facing threat of extinction. She pointed out that it is essential to document such art forms and to make special efforts to keep them alive. She expressed happiness that the Sangeet Natak Akademi is organizing the Kala-Diksha program. She urged senior artists to groom the next generation.
