The Sangeet Natak Akademi is India’s national academy for music, dance and drama. It was set up in 1952 by the Government of India and works as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture. Its headquarters are at Rabindra Bhavan in New Delhi.
What the Akademi does
- Preserves and promotes India’s music, dance, theatre and puppetry traditions.
- Supports research, documentation and archives of performing arts.
- Runs institutions such as Kathak Kendra in New Delhi and centres for Manipuri dance and Sattriya.
- Organises festivals across India.
The Akademi Awards
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar is given every year to practising artists in fields such as Hindustani and Carnatic music, dance forms, theatre, folk and tribal arts and puppetry. Awardees receive a tamrapatra (copper plaque), an angavastram and a cash prize.
Akademi Fellowship
The Akademi Ratna, or Fellowship, is its highest honour. It is given to a small number of eminent artists and scholars, and the number of living fellows is limited.
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Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar
Started in 2006, this award honours young artists under 40 years of age for outstanding talent in the performing arts.
How awards are decided
Awards are decided by the Akademi’s General Council based on recommendations. The list is announced by the Akademi and presented at a ceremony, often by the President of India.
Frequently asked questions
Who can get the Akademi Award?
Practising artists, gurus and scholars who have made a significant contribution in their field. Awards cover classical, folk and tribal forms.
Is there an award for young artists?
Yes. The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar is for artists under 40.
How is it different from the Padma awards?
The Padma awards are national civilian honours for all fields, given by the Government of India. The Akademi Awards are specific to performing arts and are given by the Akademi.
Where can I see the list of awardees?
The Akademi publishes the full list of awardees and fellows on its official website, along with their fields.
Bottom line
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards recognise artists who keep India’s living traditions of music, dance and theatre alive.
Source / स्रोत: Sangeet Natak Akademi, Ministry of Culture
