Padma Awards 2024, Celebrating Excellence in Arts and Culture

The prestigious Padma Awards for the year were announced on Thursday, with eminent personalities from various fields being honored for their significant contributions. Among the recipients, legendary actors Chiranjeevi and Vyjayanthimala were conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, recognizing their remarkable contributions to the world of cinema. Late Vijayakanth, Mithun Chakraborty, and Usha Uthup were also honored with the Padma Bhushan, acknowledging their outstanding achievements in their respective fields.

Chiranjeevi, who made his debut in 1978 with Punadhirallu, has been a dominant force in Telugu cinema for nearly five decades. Apart from his illustrious acting career, he ventured into politics by forming the Praja Rajyam Party in 2008, later merging with the Indian National Congress. He also served as the Union Minister of State for Tourism with independent charge from October 27, 2012, till May 26, 2014.

Vyjayanthimala, a versatile artist, began her cinematic journey in Tamil cinema and seamlessly transitioned to Hindi cinema, leaving an indelible mark on the industry in the 50s and 60s. Her ability to portray diverse roles, from a village belle in Ganga Jamuna (1961) to a courtesan in Amrapali (1966), showcased her acting finesse alongside her prowess as a classical dancer.

In addition to the film industry, the Padma Awards recognized several individuals from the field of arts, including Padma Subrahmanyam, Dattatray Ambadas Mayaloo, Pyarelal Sharma, Khalil Ahamad, and many more. The list encompasses diverse contributions, from folk singers like Ratan Kahar to renowned dancers like Uma Maheshwari D and cultural preservers like Jordan Lepcha.

The prestigious Padma Awards for 2024 have been announced, recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields. The awards, conferred in three categories – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri – aim to honor exceptional service and accomplishments in various domains. This year, a total of 132 Padma awards have been announced, comprising five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri recipients.

Padma Vibhushan Awardees (2024):

1. Ms. Vyjayantimala Bali (Art – Tamil Nadu): Renowned actress, dancer, and parliamentarian.
2. Shri Konidela Chiranjeevi (Art – Andhra Pradesh): Veteran actor and cultural icon.
3. Shri M Venkaiah Naidu (Public Affairs – Andhra Pradesh): Former Vice President of India.
4. Shri Bindeshwar Pathak (Posthumous) (Social Work – Bihar): Noted social worker, founder of Sulabh International.
5. Ms. Padma Subrahmanyam (Art – Tamil Nadu): Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer.

Padma Shri Awardees (2024):

The Padma Shri, a prestigious civilian award, has been bestowed upon 110 individuals across diverse fields. Some notable recipients include:

1. Parbati Baruah (Social Work – Animal Welfare, Assam): India’s first female elephant mahout.
2. Jageshwar Yadav (Social Work – Tribal – PVTG, Chhattisgarh): Dedicated to the upliftment of marginalized communities.
3. Chami Murmu (Social Work – Environment – Afforestation, Jharkhand): Led afforestation efforts, planting over 30 lakh plants.
4. Gurvinder Singh (Social Work – Divyang, Haryana): Established ‘Bal Gopal Dham’ for the welfare of children.
5. Dukhu Majhi (Social Work – Environment – Afforestation, West Bengal): Planted thousands of trees on barren land.
6. Sangthankima (Social Work – Children, Mizoram): Founder of Mizoram’s largest orphanage.
7. Somanna (Social Work – Tribal – PVTG, Karnataka): Worked for the upliftment of Jenu Kuruba tribe.
8. Sathyanarayana Beleri (Others – Agriculture – Cereal – Rice, Kerala): Guardian of traditional rice varieties.
9. Prema Dhanraj (Medicine – Indigenous – Burns, Karnataka): Dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of burn victims.
10. Yazdi Maneksha Italia (Medicine – Indigenous – Sickle Cell, Gujarat): Pioneer of India’s Sickle Cell Anemia Control Program.

These awards celebrate the diversity of talent and contributions that have positively impacted various aspects of society. The recipients, through their dedication and excellence, serve as inspirations for generations to come.