Sangeet Natak Akademi Honors Six Artists as Fellows

Six eminent personalities in the field of performing arts have been elected by Sangeet Natak Akademi as Akademi Fellows or Akademi Ratna. The Fellowship of the Akademi is a most prestigious and rare honour, which is restricted to 40 at any given time. Culture Ministry said the General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi also selected ninety-two artists from different fields including Music, Dance, Theatre, and Puppetry for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for the years 2022 and 2023. The decision was taken at its meeting held on 21st and 22nd February.

The Akademi Awards have been conferred since 1952. These honours not only symbolize the highest standard of excellence and achievement, but also recognize sustained individual work and contribution. The



honour of Akademi Fellow carries a purse money of three lakh rupees while the Akademi Award carries a purse money of one lakh rupees, besides a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards will be conferred by President Droupadi Murmu in a special investiture ceremony.

The General Council of the Akademi has also selected 80 young artists for Sangeet Natak Akademi Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the years 2022 and 2023. The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar carries a purse money of 25 thousand rupees besides a Tamrapatra and Angavastram. These awards will be conferred by the Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi in a special ceremony.