GG News Bureau
Jalpaiguri, 27th Jan. Mangala Kanti Roy, a 102-year-old Sarinda Player from West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri, was overjoyed and expressed happiness at being named one of the Padma Shri awardees on the eve of India’s 74th Republic Day.
In the category of ‘Art (Folk Music),’ the centenarian received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
“Ever since we came to know about the Padma award, I have been feeling very happy. I have been playing Sarinda since I was 4-5 years old. Have played Sarinda everywhere from Delhi, Kamakhya to Darjeeling,” Mangala Kanti Roy said.
Roy is one of West Bengal’s oldest folk musicians, known for producing unique bird calls on Sarinda.
For the past eight decades, he has promoted and preserved the Sarinda instrument through workshops and performances.
This year’s Padma awardees represent a diverse range of professions and areas of the country, with the majority hailing from the field of arts.
There are six Padma Vibhushan winners, nine Padma Bhushan winners, and 91 Padma Shri winners on the list. Nine of the awardees are women, and seven will be honored posthumously.
Every year, the President bestows the awards at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in March or April.
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