MUMBAI: 66 years ago Padma Awards were constituted in India to acknowledge excellence in fields in any field of human endeavor. The idea of constituting these awards to acknowledge talent and service done by an individual, irrespective of their caste, creed, religion and economic status. The topmost honor is Bharat Ratna followed by three segments Padma vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma shri. Each year, apart from 1977 to 1980 and 1993 to 1997, Padma awards have been conferred every year and the illustrious list comprises many musicians too. From Indian Classical singers/musicians to dancers to folk musicians to popular music musicians, the awards have been conferred on many musicians.
The highest award given to any civilian, Bharat Ratna has been conferred on five musicians till 2018, who are namley M S Subbulakshmi, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Ravishankar, Ustad Bismillah Khan , Lata Mangehskar. On 26 January 2019, on the eve of 70th Republic Day, the Indian Government declared Bharat Ratna to yet another treasured musician of our nation-Bhupen Hazarika. Widely known as Sudhakantha or literally translating Clear Voice, Bhupen Hazarika was a multi prolific artiste and has been awarded the highest honor posthumously. The rest of three categories also feature some of the most revered musicians of India, who have represented India on a global level.
The second highest honor Padma Vibhushan has been honored to Teejan Bai, a known folk musician and an exponent of Pandavani, where the performer enacts tales of Mahabharata. She has been honoured with all the Padma awards. Pandit Buddhadtiya Mukherjee, a sitar virtuoso has been conferred with the third highest civilian award along with Pandit Rajeev Taranath, a Sarod exponent.
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The fourth category, Padma Shri has been awarded to Pandit Swapan Chaudhari, a legend of Indian percussion, Tabla. Playback singer and film music composer Shankar Mahadevan has also been awarded with Padmashri.
2019 saw musicians in every category of awards conferred by the Government of India.
