Sangeet Natak Akademi awards: Art can make us empathetic when we go away from dharma, says President Murmu

Murmu emphasised the importance of the performing arts in India’s history, adding that art “makes people better, and has societal value too”. “Art can make us empathetic when we go down a path away from dharma. I hope the Akademi always provides artists with such opportunities,” she said.

Reddy complimented the diversity of winners and highlighted the Akademi’s role in furthering the arts. “Our ancient art forms should be preserved and we can also use technology to serve them. The Akademi is preparing an online database of critics and scholars for that purpose,” he said.

Meghwal said, “We are awarding the (practitioners of) the most important organs of India’s art and culture. These artistes have worked very hard to advance their disciplines. Artists help us access our culture. This is the right time for them to flourish.”

Purecha said, “This is a day of pride. The artistes being felicitated today have upheld the dignity of their artforms. I pay my obeisance to them and their teachers… Through your practice, you keep our culture and heritage alive, because tangible concerns can be tended to easily, whereas intangible ones (like art) are difficult.”

Among the artistes felicitated were Hindustani vocalist Kalapini Komkali, playwright Asif Ali Haider Khan, martial artist Gurpreet Singh Khalsa, and dancer Manjula Ramaswamy. A fellowship was also awarded to five artistes.