New Delhi, August 14, 2026: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards for 2024 and 2025 on eminent artists at a ceremony in New Delhi, recognising their contribution to India’s rich performing arts heritage.

The honours recognise achievements across music, dance, theatre, folk and tribal arts, puppetry and traditional performing arts. Seven distinguished artists were selected for the Akademi Fellowship, while the awards covered a wide range of artistic disciplines and traditions from across the country.

Addressing the gathering, President Murmu described artists as custodians of India’s collective memory and important contributors to the country’s cultural future. She highlighted how generations of artists have preserved traditions, languages, stories and artistic practices while allowing them to evolve with changing times.

The President also called upon senior artists and gurus to make systematic efforts to mentor and nurture the next generation, stressing that the continuity of India’s diverse artistic traditions depends on passing knowledge and skills to young practitioners.

The ceremony underscored the importance of performing arts not only as cultural expressions but also as a living link between India’s heritage and its future.