The Padma awards honoured many big names from the performing arts. We bring you their reactions on their just-aquired honour
In the hierarchy of awards given by the Government of India, the Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award behind Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan. This year the President of India has approved conferment of Padma Awards to 89 persons.
Veteran classical and playback singer K.J. Yesudas was named for the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honour, while Grammy-winning Hindustani classical music instrumentalist Vishwa Mohan Bhatt was named for the Padma Bhushan.
Out of 75 Padma Shri awardees, singer Kailash Kher and Anuradha Paudwal, cricketer Virat Kohli, gymnast Dipa Karmakar, wrestler Sakshi Malik, paralympic athlete Deepa Malik and well-known chef Sanjeev Kapoor are the personalities who have been honoured. Film critic Bhawana Somaaya, Farsi writer K. N. Pandita and French historian Michel Danino were among others who were selected for Padma Shri awards.
It’s a huge honour for me to win the Padma Shri award, the fourth highest civilian award in this country. It’s not just related to sports but it’s an appreciation shown by the whole country. It gives me huge pleasure to receive this award. It was I guess the perfect timing you know announcing a National award on Republic Day. I would like to wish everybody a very Happy Republic Day. I hope they enjoy the day and keep the patriotism alive in their hearts. -Virat Kohli
By the grace of God, I got this honour. It’s a moment of pride and celebration. It’s because of a lot of prayers and hard work along with blessing from my parents and gurus, and love from fans.- Kailash Kher
It is humbling, yes. It is also a stepping stone. It is a mirror of the mind of my audience, who acknowledge that music has no religion, caste or creed.- K. J. Yesudas
I am very grateful. It is a wonderful honour to get from the Government of India. I have been singing devotional songs to Mata Rani for so long and I feel the honour is the prasad for all my hard work. I am extremely happy. It is a beautiful honour.- Anuradha Paudwal