Context: Recently, the President of India conferred Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for the years 2022 and 2023 to 94 eminent artists (two joint awards) in the field of performing arts.

• Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna) to 7 eminent artists (one joint fellowship) in the ceremony will also be awarded.

About Sangeet Natak Akademi 

• It is the apex body in the field of performing arts in the country for the preservation and promotion of the vast intangible heritage of India’s diverse culture expressed in forms of music, dance and drama.

• Established in 1953 

• Ministry: It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture

• The Chairman of the Akademi is appointed by the President of India for a term of five years.

• The management of the Akademi vests in its General Council.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi confers classical status on nine Indian dance forms; 

• Bharatanatyam: Tamil Nadu,

• Kathak: Northern India, 

• Kathakali: Kerala, 

• Kuchipudi: Andhra Pradesh, 

• Manipuri: Manipur, 

• Mohiniyattam: Kerala,

• Odissi: Odisha,

• Sattriya: Assam,

• Chhau: Mayurbhanj Chhau of Odisha

Two other Forms of Chhau: Purulia Chhau of West Bengal, the Seraikella Chhau of Jharkhand. 

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award   

• The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award has been conferred since 1952.

• It is given to the artist in performing arts expressed in music, dance, drama, folk & tribal arts, puppetry and allied theatre art forms. 

• Akademi Award carries award money of Rs 1,00,000, besides a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.

Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna) 

• It is conferred regardless of nationality, race, caste, religion, creed, or sex.

• It is a most prestigious and rare honour, to an eminent performing artist for his/her exceptional contribution to his/her performing art form.

• Akademi Award carries award money of Rs.3, 00, 000, besides a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.

Eligibility For Akademi Ratna & Awards

• Maximum: Awards 41 & Fellowship 40.

• Age Criteria: No person below 50 & at least 35 years of age. 

• A deceased person cannot be considered for Akademi Ratna or Puraskar.

Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar

• It was instituted in the year 2006 

• The Yuva Puraskar may be given in the following five Fields of activity: Music Dance Theatre Other Traditional / Folk/ Tribal/ Dance/ Music/ Theatre and Puppetry Contribution / Scholarship in Performing Arts.

• Maximum Awards:  33

• Age Criteria: up to the age of 40 & Date of nomination received will be from 1st April of that year.