SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art and Culture)

Context: The Sangeet Natak Akademi recently announced its list of Akademi Ratnas and Akademi Puraskar.

Sangeet Natak Akademi

• About: The national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.
• Origin: It was set up by the Indian education ministry on 31 May 1952 and became functional the following year, with the appointment of its first chairman, Dr. P. V. Rajamannar.
• Awards: The Akademi Ratna and Akademi Puraskar represent the pinnacle of achievement in the performing arts at a national level.

oExcellence Standard: They symbolize the highest standard of excellence attained within the realm of performing arts.

• Chairman Appointment: By the President of India for a term of five years.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Culture
• Current Status: It is presently an Autonomous Body of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and is fully funded by the Government for implementation of its schemes and programmes.
• Functions: The academy functions as the apex body of the performing arts in the country to preserve and promote the vast cultural heritage of India expressed in music, dance and drama.
• Honour: 1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh) besides a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.

New Akademi Fellows 

• Representation: According to the Ministry of Culture, the selected artists represent various performing arts forms, including music, dance, drama, folk, tribal art, puppetry, and allied theater art forms.
• Recognition: The Akademi's General Council has unanimously elected six new Akademi Fellows, also known as Akademi Ratnas, highlighting their significant contributions to the arts.
• Youthful Talent Acknowledged: The Sangeet Natak Akademi Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar has been awarded to 80 young artists for their exceptional talent and dedication in the past two years.