Four artistes from Lucknow were conferred the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan on Thursday for their contribution to music, dance, theatre and photography.

Yugantar Sindoor receiving his award from the President (Sourced)

Acclaimed ghazal singer and composer Ustad Yugantar Sindoor received the 2025 award. “This is the fruit of five decades of dedication. To have that passion and sacrifice recognised at the national level is deeply gratifying. I dedicate this honour to my parents and my guru,” he said.

Senior Kathak guru Pandit Rammohan Maharaj of the Kalka-Bindadin Gharana was also honoured for 2025. Known for teaching Kathak free of cost to underprivileged children at Lucknow’s historic Dyodhi, he said the award belonged to his ancestors.

“My guru, Padma Vibhushan Birju Maharaj, gave me the responsibility of taking Kathak to poor children. This honour increases that responsibility,” he said. He received the award along with his elder brother Pandit Krishna Mohan Maharaj and sister-in-law Vaswati Mishra.

Veteran theatre director Atamjit Singh was conferred the 2024 award for staging Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’ in traditional Nautanki style. As he was unwell, his son Sarabjit Singh received it on his behalf. “Now my goal is to connect the new generation with Nautanki and save it from extinction,” Atamjit Singh said.

Senior photographer Rakesh Sinha received the 2025 award for art photography. He is only the second photographer since 1952 to get the honour in this category.

“For 55 years I have documented performing arts. I never thought my hobby would earn me this recognition from the President,” he said.