By: Amit kumaR Agarwal
Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar Ceremony honouring the exceptional recipients of 2022 & 2023 commenced with inauguration by Arunish Chawla, Secretary, Ministry of Culture; Uma Nanduri, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture; Joravarsinh Jadav, Vice-chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi; Dr Sandhya Purecha, Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi; and Raju Das, Secretary, Sangeet Natak Akademi.
82 Young Artists Conferred with Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puruskar for the Years 2022 and 2023 at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
Arunish Chawla, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India expressed his happiness, stating, “It is delightful to see that this year’s awardees represent the rich cultural diversity of India, hailing from every corner of the country, every region, every state, and every community’s unique heritage. Through this award, the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Government of India have recognized their exceptional contributions to the performing arts.”
Speaking about the award ceremony, Dr Sandhya Purecha, Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi, stated, "It is truly heartening to witness how today’s young dancers have devoted themselves to their art with such focused dedication. Despite the bombardment of choices, the influence of globalization, and the distractions of the modern world, these youth have chosen their path with conviction. They strive tirelessly to master their craft, and that passion shines through in the awardees here today.”
The award ceremony will be followed by the festival of performing arts featuring the recipient of Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar at three different venues Meghdoot Theatre Complex, Rabindra Bhawan, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi; Abhimanch Theatre, National School of Drama, Bhawalpur House, New Delhi and Vivekanand Auditorium, Kathak Kendra, Chanakyapuri from 22 to 26 November, 2024.
Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar
Sangeet Natak Akademi instituted the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (UBKUP) in the name of Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan for young performing art practitioners upto the age of 40 years in 2006. The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar is given annually to outstanding young artists in the fields of music, dance, drama, folk & tribal arts and puppetry in a special ceremony held in Delhi and also outside Delhi. The Yuva Puraskar carries a purse money of Rs 25,000/- (Rupees twenty-five thousand only), a plaque and an angavastram.
The reason behind instituting the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar was to encourage and motivate the young artists in the field of music, dance, drama, folk and tribal art forms and other allied performing art forms of the country.