Flute maestro Pandit Ronu Majumdar, who has been honoured with the Padma Shri, expressed immense pride and gratitude for receiving the prestigious recognition.
In a conversation with media, he shared, “I am thankful to the central government for this honour and it is all because of the blessings of my guru Pandit Ravi Shankar and Pandit Vijay Raghav Rao and my parents. At this moment I am remembering my wife and children as they always supported me in my tough times.”
He further added, “I am especially thankful to the Home Ministry and Prime Minister Narendra Modi..”
Pandit Majumdar expressed that the award had given him renewed strength, saying, “The government has given me strength through this award. It is like a tonic and now I have got more energy to work hard..”
Rooted in the Maihar Gharana, Pt. Majumdar has performed internationally in Europe, the United States, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East. He is also known for his collaborations with other prominent instrumentalists and for composing fusion pieces that blend Hindustani classical music with other genres.
The Padma Awards, instituted in 1954, are among India’s highest civilian honours. They are presented annually on the eve of Republic Day and are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. These awards recognize distinguished service in all fields of activity, particularly where public service is involved.
The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations of the Padma Awards Committee, which includes eminent personalities and is headed by the Cabinet Secretary. The final recommendations are approved by the Prime Minister and President of India.
In addition to Pandit Majumdar, other notable recipients of the Padma Shri this year include renowned sculptor Adwaita Charan Gadanayak, calligraphy artist Achyut Ramchandra Palav, singer Arijit Singh, comedian Ashok Laxman Saraf, classical vocalist Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, and Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej, among others.