Garhwal Post Bureau
Derhadun, 12 Jun: Dehradun-based Kathak exponent Namrata Rai has been selected for the prestigious ‘Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar’ for 2024, awarded by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, bringing laurels to Uttarakhand’s cultural fraternity. She is among the 6 artists from Uttarakhand chosen for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the years 2024 and 2025. The Akademi has announced the names of 106 young artists from across the country for its 2024 and 2025 awards in the fields of music, dance, theatre, traditional folk arts, puppetry and other performing arts.
Others also chosen for the award from Uttarakhand are Anuragi siblings (Nirmal, Mukesh and Anjali), Hema Karasi and Himanshu Darmoda.
Namrata Rai, a resident of Old Survey Road in Dehradun, has established a distinct identity in the field of Indian classical Kathak through her talent, dedication and years of rigorous practice. She has been selected for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 in recognition of her contribution to Kathak dance. Through her performances on national and international stages, she has earned widespread acclaim and has emerged as one of the leading young cultural ambassadors of Uttarakhand.
It may be recalled that Namrata comes from an academically accomplished family. Her father, Shashikant Rai, was a Professor of Chemistry at DBS College, Dehradun. She received her initial training and guidance in Kathak from her father and subsequently honed her skills through years of disciplined learning and performance. Over the years, she has received several prestigious honours, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Ustad Rashid Khan Scholarship, the Guru Samman, the Jaydev National Award and the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Award. Through Kathak, she has consistently worked towards taking India’s rich cultural heritage to younger generations.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi’s announcement has also brought recognition to five other artists from Uttarakhand. Folk singer Hema Negi Karasi has been selected for the award in the field of music for 2024. A native of Tukhinda village in Rudraprayag district, she has earned a prominent place in the world of folk music through her melodious voice and tireless efforts. Her renditions of Garhwali folk songs, Maangal, Jaagar, Chhopati and other traditional genres have taken Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage from local platforms to national and international audiences. Through YouTube and stage performances, she has helped popularise the region’s folk traditions among a wider audience.
Young musician Himanshu Darmoda of Rudraprayag district has been selected for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2025 for his overall contribution to music. A noted vocalist and ghazal singer, he has received training from the Jaipur Gharana as well as Gwalior Gharana and has carved a niche for himself in the field of classical and ghazal singing. He is also associated with cultural and journalistic activities and has played an active role in various programmes organised by the Uttarakhand Culture Department. He is also a graded artist of Akashvani.
The award list also includes visually impaired sibling trio Anuragi, comprising Nirmal, Mukesh and Anjali from Kotal Manda village near Gairsain in Pauri district. The brothers-sister team has been selected for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2025. Despite their visual disability, they have earned recognition through their musical performances and inspirational journey. Associated with local fairs and cultural events from an early age, they later reached wider audiences through social media. They regard renowned musician Rajendra Chauhan, singer Kalpana Chauhan and veteran folk singer Narendra Singh Negi as their inspirations.
It may be recalled that the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar carries a cash award of Rs 25,000, a citation and an angavastram. The announcement has been welcomed by artists and cultural organisations across Uttarakhand, who have described the recognition as a matter of pride for the state and a significant encouragement for young talent working in the fields of music, dance and folk arts. General Council member of Sangeet Natak Akademi, Narendra Panthri has also welcomed the honour announced for the young artists from Uttarakhand.
