Arijit Singh, Sharda Sinha and Pankaj Udhas among artists honoured with Padma Awards

Arijit Singh will be honored with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, while legendary Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas has been posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, the nation's third-highest civilian honor, in recognition of his distinguished contributions.

Singer Arijit Singh, along with late musicians Sharda Sinha and Pankaj Udhas, were honored among the 139 recipients of the prestigious Padma Awards for 2025, announced on Republic Day eve.

Folk singer Sharda Sinha and esteemed screenwriter-director M T Vasudevan Nair have been posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor, in recognition of their exceptional contributions. Sharda Sinha, who passed away in November 2024, was revered as the Bihar Kokila for her soulful renditions of Chhath and folk songs like Kartik Maas Ijoriya, Suraj Bhaile Bihaan, and Bollywood hits such as Taar Bijli and Babul. Recognized for her immense contribution to Indian music, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2018.

Renowned Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas has also been posthumously conferred the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award, for his distinguished service.   A prominent figure in the world of ghazals, Udhas was celebrated for iconic songs like “Chitthi Ayee Hai” and “Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein.” He passed away in February 2024 after a prolonged illness. Earlier, in 2006, Udhas was honored with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, for his contributions to music.

In recognition of their exceptional contributions to their respective fields, Padma Bhushan awards have been conferred upon notable personalities including filmmaker Karan Johar, actor Ajith Kumar, Telugu superstar Nandamuri Balakrishna, veteran actor Anant Nag, and celebrated Bharatnatyam dancer-actor Shobana. These honorees have made significant impacts in cinema, dance, and entertainment, earning this prestigious honor for their remarkable achievements.

Theatre icon Barry John, renowned for shaping the early careers of stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, and Arijit Singh, along with veteran actor Ashok Saraf, four-time Grammy winner Ricky Kej, and singer Jaspinder Narula, are among the distinguished individuals honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, for their exceptional contributions to their fields.

Meanwhile, literary giant M. T. Vasudevan Nair, who passed away at 91 in December 2024, left behind a legacy of nine novels, 19 short story collections, 54 screenplays, six films, and numerous essays and memoirs spanning seven decades. His iconic novel Naalukettu remains a cornerstone of Malayalam literature, alongside celebrated works like Asuravithu, Manju, and Kaalam. Honored with the Jnanpith Award in 1995, Nair was also a recipient of the Padma Bhushan in 2005.

Shobana, an acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer and actress, has starred in over 230 films across various languages. She has twice won the National Film Award for Best Actress, earning recognition for her stellar performances in the Malayalam classic Manichitrathazhu (1993) and the English film Mitr, My Friend (2001).

Renowned violinist L. Subramaniam has been honored with the Padma Vibhushan, while classical vocalist Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande and sculptor Adwaita Charan Gadanayak have received the Padma Shri for their contributions to their respective fields. Additionally, Kathak legend Kumudini Lakhia has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan for her exceptional dedication to the classical dance form.

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Among the distinguished recipients of the Padma Shri this year are musicologist Bharat Gupt, renowned calligrapher Achyut Ramachandra Palav, and poet Chandrakant Sheth, who has been posthumously honored. Odissi exponent Durga Charan Ranbir, Rajasthani folk singer Begam Batool, and American author Stephen Knapp have also been recognized for their contributions.

Additionally, legendary percussionist Guruvayur Dorai, celebrated chef K. Damodaran, Carnatic vocalist K. Omanakutty Amma, esteemed poet Ramdarash Mishra, and acclaimed sculptor Radhakrishnan Devasenapathy will be honored with the Padma Shri.

This year's list of Padma Awards includes seven Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri recipients. Notably, 23 of the awardees are women, while 10 individuals are from the Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category. The list also comprises 13 posthumous honorees. As per tradition, the prestigious awards were announced on the eve of Republic Day.