The celebrities selected for the Padma Award for this year include five people from Rajasthan, including impersonator Jankilal and Dhrupad singer Laxman Bhatt Tailang. This year’s Padma Awards were announced by the Central Government on Thursday on the eve of Republic Day. Padma Shri award has also been announced to Mand singer brothers Ali Mohammad and Ghani Mohammad from Rajasthan and road safety activist Maya Tandon. Ali Mohammad and Ghani Mohammad brothers, residents of Bikaner, will jointly receive this award. Tandon will receive this award under the social work category while the remaining three awards will be given under the art category.
Contributing to awareness and training initiatives on road safety
After retiring from the post of Superintendent of JK Lone Government Hospital, Maya Tandon has been contributing to awareness and training initiatives on road safety for the last 29 years. He expressed gratitude to the Central Government for this announcement. Sharing his experience, Tandon (86) told PTI, “After retirement, I chose to work through a trust to create awareness on road safety and save lives in road accidents. Over the last 29 years, the Trust has created awareness about life-saving methods in Rajasthan and other parts of the country including Delhi.
Gave the art of theater recognition in foreign countries also
The Trust organizes awareness camps about road safety and life-saving methods in schools, colleges, universities, government institutions etc. Jankilal (81) of Bhilwara is also known as ‘Baharupiya Baba’. He has given recognition to the art of Bahrupiya i.e. theater even abroad. He acted as an impersonator, portraying many characters from mythology, folk tales and traditional stories. He also promoted local art in the Mewar region. Despite financial hardship and limited institutional support, he has maintained his passion and commitment to the arts. “I used to act like a monkey while performing with my father,” he told reporters in Bhilwara. it’s my passion.
Jankilal has been entertaining people for decades by taking various forms including Kalbeliya, Kabuli Pathan, Narad Muni, Lord Shiva, Mother Parvati, Sadhu, bride and groom. Lakshman Bhatt Tailang of Jaipur is also called the saint of Dhrupad singing. He has created a new style of singing ‘Pachrang’. It is noteworthy that Padma Awards are announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day. ‘Padmashree’ is given for distinguished service in any field.