Legendary vocalist Suman Kalyanpur was granted India’s third highest civilian honour, Padma Bhushan, by President Droupadi Murmu in a gilded ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday. During the presenting event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were present.
Suman Kalyanpur’s vocals may be heard on timeless classics like ‘Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche’ and ‘Naa Naa Karte Pyar Tumhin Se Kar Baithe’. Her voice was sometimes confused with that of Lata Mangeshkar. She also sang two duets with Mangeshkar before going on to have a great career as a playback singer.
During the presenting event on Wednesday, Pandwani vocalist Usha Barle also earned a Padma Award. She was bestowed with the Padma Shri, the third-highest civilian accolade.
Usha Barle studied Pandwani under renowned Pandwani vocalist and Padma Vibhushan Teejanbai. She has performed Pandwani in several Indian states as well as in London and New York. She also won the gold medal six times at Girodhpuri Tapobhoomi.
President Murmu also awarded Padma Shri to Bhanubhai Chitara, a 7th-generation Kalamkari artist from the Chunara community who is carrying on the 400-year-old ancient skill of Mata ni Pachedi.
Earlier this month, the Central Government honoured a total of 106 Padma Awards in various categories. Art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service were among the categories.
