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Padmashri Ustad Puranchand Wadali

Padmashri Ustad Puranchand Wadali is a revered Sufi singer and musician from Guru Ki Wadali in Punjab’s Amritsar district. Born into a family of traditional artists, he was guided by his father, Thakur Das Wadali, to pursue music, eventually training under legendary maestros including Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan of the Patiala Gharana. His soulful renditions and dedication to Sufi music earned him major honours such as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1992), Tulsi Award (1998), Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2003) and the Padma Shri (2005), along with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

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Ustad Ghulam Ali

Ustad Ghulam Ali Saab is an acclaimed Pakistani ghazal singer of the Patiala Gharana. Disciple of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and his brothers, he uniquely weaves Hindustani classical music into ghazals. Known for timeless ghazals like Chupke Chupke Raat Din, Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa, and Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi, he is beloved across South Asia and the diaspora. He has been honoured with Pakistan’s Pride of Performance and Sitara-i-Imtiaz awards.

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Padmashri Pt. Anup Jalota

Padmashri Pt. Anup Jalota (born 29 July 1953) is an acclaimed Indian singer, musician and actor, celebrated as the Bhajan Samraat for his immense contribution to bhajan and ghazal music. Born in Nainital to a Punjabi Hindu family of the Sham Chaurasia Gharana, he trained at Lucknow’s Bhatkhande Music Institute under the influence of his father, renowned bhajan singer Purshottam Das Jalota. With a rich musical legacy, he rose to national fame and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2012. He also appeared as a contestant on the reality show Bigg Boss 12.

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Padmashri Vidushi Sumitra Guha

Sumitra Guha is an Indian classical singer specializing in Hindustani music. Trained under eminent gurus, she has had a long career performing at major festivals and concerts across India and abroad. Guha is also recognized for her teaching and mentoring younger musicians. Her repertoire includes khayal, thumri, and lighter classical forms, combining expressive depth with technical mastery.

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Padmashri Vidhushi Nalini & Kamalini

Padmashri Nalini and Kamalini are renowned Kathak exponents, trained under Guru Pandit Jitendra Maharaj. With exceptional grace, expression, and harmony, they have mesmerized audiences across India and abroad, performing at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, and prestigious international festivals in the UK, USA, France, Spain, and beyond. Both are Top-Grade Doordarshan artists and recipients of numerous national honors. Kamalini serves as Chairperson of Kathak Kendra, National Institute, Ministry of Culture, while Nalini is Director of Sangeetika Institute of Performing Arts, dedicated to promoting India’s classical heritage worldwide.

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Padmashri Pt. Shivnath Mishra

Pandit Shivnath Mishra (born 12 October 1943 in Benares, British India) is an eminent Indian sitar virtuoso of the Benares Gharana. He served as Head of the Music Department and Lecturer at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi. His discography includes albums such as Sound of Sitar, Soul of Sitar, Raag Desh: Monsoon Raga, Joy, Raga Cycle, and Rare Instruments: Surbahar (with Deobrat Mishra). Mishra was awarded the Padma Shri in 2022, the only sitar player from Varanasi to receive that honour since Ravi Shankar and earlier received the U.P. Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 2004.

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Padmashri Janaab Muzaffar Ali

Janab Muzaffar Ali (b. October 21, 1944, Lucknow) is a multifaceted Indian artist, filmmaker, fashion designer, poet, cultural revivalist, and social worker. A graduate of Aligarh Muslim University, he began his creative journey in advertising before turning to cinema. His notable films include Gaman (1978) and Umrao Jaan (1981). He also launched a fashion label with his wife Meera in 1990. Awarded the Padma Shri in 2005, Muzaffar Ali continues to bridge art, culture, heritage, and social engagement.

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Padmashri Ashok Chakradhar

Ashok Chakradhar is an Indian writer, poet, and lyricist with contributions to Hindi literature and music. Beyond composing for songs, he has been recognized for his work in poetry, essays, and as an educator. Chakradhar’s creative output spans both academic and public cultural spheres, blending literary forms with musical traditions.

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Padmashri Pt. Ronu Majumdar

Ronu Majumdar is a prominent Indian flautist known for his work in Hindustani classical music and in fusion genres. His performances are marked by virtuosity and versatility, collaborating with many artists and performing at significant cultural events. Majumdar has recorded numerous albums and also contributed to film and non-classical projects, expanding the flute’s presence in modern musical contexts while maintaining a strong classical foundation.

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Padmashri Pt. Umakant Gundecha

Padmashri Pt. Umakant Gundecha is celebrated Indian classical vocalists known for their mastery of dhrupad, the oldest form of Hindustani music, in the Dagar vani tradition. He began performing together in 1985, gaining international acclaim for preserving and promoting the dhrupad style. He has trained in numerous disciples through their institute, Dhrupad Sansthan, and performed worldwide. In recognition of their immense contribution to Indian music, he was honored with the Padma Shri in 2012.

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Padmashri Pt. Ritwik Sanyal

Pandit Ritwik Sanyal (born 12 April 1953) is a leading Dhrupad singer from Varanasi. He is known both for his performances and his scholarly contributions. After studying Dhrupad under Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and Zia Fariduddin Dagar, he completed his higher studies at Banaras Hindu University, including a PhD in musicology. He served as Professor and Dean in the Faculty of Performing Arts at BHU. Sanyal has also published numerous papers, composed Dhrupad lyrics, and has performed nationally and internationally. In 2023 he was awarded the Padma Shri.

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Padmashri Bhai Harjinder Singh (Srinagar Wale)

Padmashri Bhai Harjinder Singh (Srinagar Wale) is a renowned Sikh devotional singer known for his powerful vocal renditions of Gurbani and kirtan. Born in Srinagar, he has released over 600 hymns in devotional albums and is celebrated for preserving and popularising Sikh spiritual music. In 2025, he was honoured with the Padma Shri for his invaluable contribution to the arts, particularly devotional music. His soulful performances continue to inspire spiritual seekers across the world.

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Padmashri Ustad Ahmed Hussain & Ustad Mohommad Hussain

Ahmed and Mohammed Hussain are brother-singers who attempted to popularize their music traditions. They performed in the Hindustani classical framework, bringing songs to broader audiences. Imran Hussain is also a singer in that family. Their work reflects efforts to blend classical sensibilities with popular appeal, contributing to the dissemination of classical-based music among lay audiences.

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Padmashri Pt. Bharti Bandhu

Dr. Bharti Bandhu, an internationally acclaimed Kabir Sufi singer from Raipur, India, was honored with the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contributions to music. A fifth-generation artist, he pioneered the “Bharti Bandhu Style,” blending Kabir’s poetry with Sufi and Chhattisgarhi folk traditions. With over 7,000 global performances, including in Mauritius and Russia, he is celebrated for spreading Kabir’s philosophy worldwide. Beyond concerts, he composed music for Chhollywood films like Pirit ke Jung and Ram Milahi Jodi. He also received the Lata Mangeshkar Puraskar (1996).

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Padmashri Pt. Shashidhar Acharya

Shashadhar Acharya is a Hindustani classical music artist, known for his vocal work. He comes from a musical lineage, and his performances include classical and semi-classical genres. Acharya has been involved in teaching and promoting music, contributing also through performances at festivals and public concerts.

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Padmashri Ustad Moinuddin Khan

Dr. Muzaffar Ali (b. October 21, 1944, Lucknow) is a multifaceted Indian artist, filmmaker, fashion designer, poet, cultural revivalist, and social worker. A graduate of Aligarh Muslim University, he began his creative journey in advertising before turning to cinema. His notable films include Gaman (1978) and Umrao Jaan (1981). He also launched a fashion label with his wife Meera in 1990. Awarded the Padma Shri in 2005, Muzaffar Ali continues to bridge art, culture, heritage, and social engagement.

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Padmashri Ustad Gulfam Ahmed

Ustad Gulfam Ahmed is a 7th-generation musician renowned worldwide for his mastery of the Rabab and Sarod. Celebrated for his soulful renditions of Sufi Kalams promoting unity between Hindus and Muslims, he has mesmerized audiences across the globe. Honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021 among numerous other accolades, Gulfam believes in the universal language of music, saying, “Music doesn't speak Hindi or Muslim. Music speaks Hindi.” Through his performances and teachings, he continues to preserve and promote the rich heritage of Indian classical and Sufi music.

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Mr. Govind Namdev

Govind Namdev is a veteran Indian actor celebrated for his powerful character roles in Hindi cinema. A National School of Drama alumnus, he spent over a decade with the NSD repertory before moving to films, debuting in Shola Aur Shabnam (1992). Known for his versatility, he has portrayed both antagonists and complex characters in acclaimed films like Satya, Bandit Queen, Virasat, and Sarfarosh.

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Ms. Himani Shivpuri

Himani Shivpuri is a veteran Indian actress celebrated for her rich character roles in cinema and television. A graduate of the National School of Drama, she made her film debut in Ab Ayega Mazaa (1984) and rose to fame with hits like Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Her work in soap operas such as Humrahi and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and her stage background highlight her adaptability, warmth, and depth as a performer.

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Mr. Raghubir Yadav

Raghubir Yadav is a versatile Indian actor, singer, composer, and theatre artist. He began his career with the Parsi Theatre Company and later joined the National School of Drama repertory. He won international acclaim for his debut film Massey Sahib, earning the Venice Critics Award and the Silver Peacock at IFFI. He also gained popularity on television for his roles in Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne and Mulla Nasruddin.

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Mr. Adil Hussain

Adil Hussain is a critically acclaimed Indian stage and film actor. He has performed in international and Indian films—including Life of Pi and The Reluctant Fundamentalist as well as in regional and art-house cinema across languages. He has roots in mobile theatre and formal training from the National School of Drama and remains an influential mentor and cultural ambassador from Assam.

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Mr. Mukesh Tiwari

Mukesh Tiwari is a well-known Indian actor, celebrated for his versatile character roles in Bollywood. A graduate of the National School of Drama, Tiwari broke into commercial cinema with China Gate (1998). He is best known for his comedic villainous characters in successful films such as Golmaal: Fun Unlimited, Singh Is Kinng, and A Wednesday. His unique presence, expressive dialogue delivery, and comedic timing make him a memorable figure in contemporary Indian cinema.

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Mr. Yashpal Sharma

Yashpal Sharma is a respected Indian actor, producer, and director with a strong foundation in theatre and the National School of Drama. He gained widespread recognition for his performance in Lagaan (2001) and has since appeared in notable films such as Gangaajal, Ab Tak Chhappan, Rowdy Rathore, and more. He also directed the Haryanvi biopic Dada Lakhmi, which won a National Film Award.

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Mr. Rajesh Tailang

Rajesh Tailang is a versatile Indian actor and poet, celebrated for his work across cinema and web series. He gained global recognition with the film Siddharth, earning a Canadian Screen Awards nomination. Tailang’s performances in Mirzapur, Delhi Crime, Bandish Bandits, and Selection Day showcase his range and depth. An alumnus of television’s Shanti, he is also a published poet and short-film director, creating meaningful work beyond acting.

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