Introduction and About the Award

- The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (UBKUP) is a distinguished acknowledgement initiated by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2006.

- The award is named after Bharat Ratna recipient Ustad Bismillah Khan.

- It aims to motivate and encourage young practitioners (up to the age of 40 years) in various performing arts fields including music, dance, drama, puppetry, and other art forms.

- The award components include a cash prize (£25,000), a plaque, and an Angavastram.

- The intention of this annual award is to celebrate exceptional contributions of young artists to traditional and modern performing arts.

 

Current News

- The Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will confer the awards for the years 2022 and 2023 on 22nd November 2024 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

- The presiding officials of the ceremony will be Dr. Sandhya Purecha, Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi, and Smt. Uma Nanduri, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture.

 

Post-Event Highlights and performing Arts Festival

- Following the awards, there will be a festival of performing arts featuring the designated awardees. This festival will run from 22nd to 26th November 2024.

- The venues include Meghdoot Theatre Complex, Abhimanch Theatre, and Vivekanand Auditorium in New Delhi.

 

Significance of the Award

- The UBKUP plays a significant role in preserving India's diverse artistic traditions and promoting innovative ideas within traditional frameworks.

- The award ensures the recognition and support of young artists for their global representation of India's cultural richness.

 

Recipients of Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2022 and 2023

- The list of recipients for these years spans across various fields of performing arts such as music, dance, theatre, traditional/folk/tribal arts and puppetry, and includes a category for overall contribution in performing arts.

- A notable recipient in 2022 includes Samit Mallick for Hindustani Vocal in Music and Mandakranta Roy for Bharatanatyam in Dance.

- In 2023, awards will be conferred to Anuja Zokarkar for Hindustani Vocal in Music and Apoorva Jayaraman for Bharatanatyam in Dance, among others. 

- The award also felicitates an individual for their overall contribution in performing arts, with Anuthama Murali and Laxminarayan Jena being the recipients for 2022 and 2023 respectively.