* Padma Bhushan for singer S P Balasubrahmaniam, Carnatic vocalist R K Shastry Srikantan, Kathakali.
NEW DELHI: Dr Kapila Vatsayayan, the veteran art historian and art administrator and renowned filmmaker A Nageshwar Rao have been conferred the Padma Vibhushan, the nation’s second highest civilian honour, on the occasion of the nation’s Republic Day.
India’s first woman cameraperson Homai Vyarawalla is also to receive the Padma Vibhushan, while maestro Mohammed Zahur Khayyam Hashmi alias Khayyam, and veteran actors Shashi Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman are to receive the Padma Bhushan.
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In the honours announced on Tuesday on Republic Day eve by President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, theatre veteran Satyadev Dubey, renowned singer Dr S P Balasubrahmanyam, painters Krishen Khanna and Arpita Singh, Carnatic vocalist R K Shastry Srikantan, Kathakali dancer M Vasudevan Nair, Bharatnatyam dancer C V Chandrasekhar and artist Dwijen Mukherjee have also been named for the Padma Bhushan.
Renowned filmmakers Shaji N Karun, Girsh Kasarvalli, Jayaram Subramaniam, talented actors Kajol, Tabassum Hashmi Khan alias Tabu, and Irfan Khan, and veteran singer Usha Uthup are to receive the Padma Shri.
Other recipients from the world of arts getting the Padma Shri are Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry (theatre), classical singer Ajoy Chakraborty, Carnatic vocalist S R Janakiraman, folk musician Prahlad Singh Tipaniya, Chenda Melam Drum player P K Marar, Manipuri (Pena) musician K M Singh, Chhau dance exponent Makar Dhwaja Darogha, Bharatnatyam danseuse M K Saroja, Kathak dancer Sunayana Hazarilal, Mohiniattam dancer Kalamandalam Kshemavathy Pavithran, Mithila/Madhubani painter Mahasundari Devi, warli painting exponent Jivya Soma Mase, Gajam Govardhana (handloom weaving), and Dadi Dorab Pudumjee (puppetry).
Ace cricketer V V S Laxman, weightlifter N Kunjarani Devi, wrestler Sushil Kumar, shooter Gagan Narang, ace para jumper Ms Shital Mahajan, discus thrower Krishna Poonia, and mountaineer Harbhajan Singh also figure in the list of Padma Shri awardees.
â€?Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; â€?Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and â€?Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are conferred by the President of India at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhawan sometime around March/April.
