The Sangeet Natak Akademi, under the Ministry of Culture, preserves India's performing arts. In June 2026, it honored 51 artists for 2021-2024.
Why In News?
Sangeet Natak Akademi awarded to 51 artistes for the years 2021-2024 to honor their excellence and promote India's cultural preservation.
What is Sangeet Natak Akademi?
The Ministry of Education created the Akademi in 1953 via a government resolution.
It functions as an Autonomous Body under the Ministry of Culture.
The President of India appoints the Chairman for a fixed term of five years.
The Government of India provides full financial support to implement its various schemes and cultural programs.
Key Objectives
Preserves and promotes the intangible cultural heritage of India, specifically in the fields of music, dance, and drama.
Operates key national cultural institutions like the National School of Drama (1959), Kathak Kendra (1964), and the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy.
Recognizes nine Indian classical dance forms: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniattam, Odissi, Sattriya, and Chhau.
It promotes scholarly research by establishing specialized libraries and museums.
It facilitates the exchange of ideas and artistic techniques across different Indian regions.
It encourages the establishment of theatre centres based on regional languages to foster inter-centre cooperation.
Awards and Recognitions
Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards: These represent the highest national recognition conferred upon practising artists.
Fellowships: The Akademi honors eminent artists and scholars of music, dance, and drama with prestigious Fellowships.
Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar: The Akademi instituted these annual awards in 2006 to recognize and encourage young artists.
Confers the highest national honors to performing artists, including the Akademi Ratna (Fellowship, limited to 40 living persons, featuring a ₹3,00,000 purse) and the Akademi Puraskar (Award, featuring a ₹1,00,000 purse).
Source: TIMESOFINDIA
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Sangeet Natak Akademi:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A) 1 and 2 only B) 2 and 3 only C) 1 and 3 only D) 1, 2, and 3 Answer: D Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: The Sangeet Natak Akademi functions as an autonomous body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Statement 2 is correct: The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar is specifically awarded annually by the Akademi to exceptional young performing artists who are up to the age of 40. Statement 3 is correct: The Akademi Ratna (Fellowship), which is the apex and most prestigious lifetime honor conferred by the institution, is strictly restricted to a maximum of 40 living individuals at any given time. |
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is the highest national recognition bestowed on practicing artists in India, celebrating excellence in the fields of music, dance, drama, traditional arts, and puppetry.
The country's eminent performing artists, gurus, and scholars receive the award following a rigorous selection process conducted by the Akademi's General Council.
Ratna Sadasya, or the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, is the most prestigious honor within the academy that restricts its total living membership to just 40 illustrious artists at any given time.
The award plays a vital role by preserving ancient classical and folk art traditions, providing financial support to master creators, and officially archiving India's diverse intangible cultural heritage.
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