PANJIM: President of India, Droupadi Murmu presented Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship and Award respectively to Goan recipients Vinayak Khedekar and Kanta Guade at a function held in New Delhi.
Khedekar was among six others who was presented the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellow 2023. The honour of Akademi Fellow carried a purse money of Rs three lakh, Tamrapatra and Angavastram.
Khadekar was elected Fellow of Sangeet Natak Akademi for his contribution to Indian music.
Gaude was presented Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the year 2023 for his contribution in the field of folk music. The Award carried a purse money of Rs one lakh, besides a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.
These honours not only symbolise the highest standard of excellence and achievement, but also recognise sustained individual work and contribution.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that art is not just for the sake of art. It also has social purpose. She added that there are many such examples in history, when artists used their art for social welfare. Artists have been contributing to awakening of society through their creations. Indian art is the best example of India's soft-power.
The President appreciated Sangeet Natak Akademi for promoting various art forms for the last seven decades. She said that the work done by the Akademi in the field of performing arts and intangible heritage is very important.
The President congratulated all the recipients of Akademi’s Fellowship and Awards and expressed confidence that they will continue to enrich the Indian art tradition through various forms and genres of music and drama.