Four Artists from Uttarakhand Received Sangeet Natya Academy Award

• 18 Sep 2023

Why In News?

On September 16, 2023, the country's Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar honored 84 outstanding artists above 75 years of age with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Award at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, which also includes four veteran artists from Uttarakhand.

Key Points:

• It is noteworthy that these are the artists who have been awarded a national honor for the first time.
• Among the four veteran artists of Uttarakhand who received the honour, Bhairav Dutt Tiwari (79) and Jagdish Dhoundiyal (78) were given the Amrit Award in folk music and dance. While Narayan Singh Bisht (75) was awarded the Amrit Award for folk music and Jugal Kishar Petshali (76) was awarded the Amrit Award for overall contribution to the performing arts of Uttarakhand.
• Apart from the copper plate, Angavastram, a cash amount of Rs 1 lakh was given to the artists as awards.
• On this occasion, the Vice President said that by protecting their musical heritage, these artists have given the message to the young generation that nothing is above the country and Indianness. The culture of some countries is 500 to 600 years old. But it is a matter of pride that India's culture is more than 7000 years old.
• Jugal Kishore Petshali: He is a resident of Almora district. He wrote books like Rajula-Malusahi, Madhya Himalaya Ki Amar Prem Gatha and Jai Bala Moriya etc.
• Narayan Singh Bisht: He is a resident of Chamoli district. He carried forward the Jagar tradition of Uttarakhand.
• Jagdish Dhondhiyal: He is a resident of Pauri Garhwal district. He has given more than 2500 performances of the dance drama Kamayani.
• Bhairav Dutt Tiwari: He is a resident of Almora and has contributed to the Kumaoni folk tradition. He prepared the presentation of the plays Rasik Ramola and Haru Heet for Doordarshan.