The Padma Vibhushan Awards 2020 has seen many renowned personalities from different industries be rewarded for their contribution in their respective fields. Everyone eyed for the music section which paid respect to some of the greatest musicians of the country. Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, the Hindustani Classical singer has received the prestigious award, which is the second-highest civilian award in India. He was presented with the award on Monday by President Ram Nath Kovind.
The gifted musician belongs to Banaras and is a supporter of the school of music, Kirana Gharana. This is not the first time, he has received a prestigious award. Previously, he was honored with Padma Bhushan in 2010, which is the third-highest civilian award in India. He also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000. President Kovind tweeted about the Hindustani classical and semi-classical vocalist receiving the Padma Vibhushan award. He posted a picture of the event and described him as being equally brilliant in classical, semi-classical, folk music, and light music.
Pandit Chhannulal Mishra was born on August 3rd, 1936 at Hariharpur, in Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh. He has been named the ‘Jewel of Thumri’ for his brilliant work in the genre. He has been involved with music-making from a very young age. He started taking music lessons from his father Badri Prasad Mishra at a very young age. Later he received further education on music from Abdul Ghani Khan, who was a prominent figure in Kirana Gharana. And he is still part of that Gharana. After that, he was trained by the renowned Thakur Jaidev Singh.
He is most well-known for singing bhajans and ghazals. He became most popular and a household name all over the country for his famous Bollywood song, ‘Sans Albeli’ from the movie ‘Aarakshan’. The song has brought him vast recognition and fame all over the world.
The Padma Award was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The attendee list consisted of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and many more. Padma Vibhushan, which is one of the Padma Awards is given to individuals for exceptional and distinguished services. The awards are announced every year on the eve of Republic Day.
This year a total of 119 Padma Awards will be presented. There are seven Padma Vibhushans, 102 Padma Shris, and 10 Padma Bhushans on the list.