In the recent announcement of the 2024 Padma Awards on the eve of Republic Day, a total of 132 recipients were recognized, including veterans of Indian cinema such as Vyjayantimala, singer Usha Uthup, Chiranjeevi, Mithun Chakraborty, and composer Pyarelal Sharma. Vyjayantimala and Chiranjeevi were honored with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award, in recognition of their exceptional and distinguished service.
Vyjayantimala, aged 90, known for her stellar performances in classic films like “Devdas,” “Gunga Jumna,” and “Sangam,” received the Padma Shri in 1968. Chiranjeevi, a prominent star in South Indian cinema with over 150 films in multiple languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada, was previously honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2006.
The late Tamil actor and politician Vijayakanth, who passed away in December 2023, was posthumously recognized with the Padma Bhushan for his distinguished service. Fondly known as “Captain,” Vijayakanth made notable contributions to Tamil cinema with films like “Vaidehi Kathirunthal” and “Chinna Gounder.”
Additionally, the Padma Bhushan was conferred upon Mithun Chakraborty, the versatile actor with a prolific career spanning films like “Disco Dancer” and “Agneepath.” Renowned pop diva Usha Uthup, recognized for her distinctive voice and jazz contributions, also received the Padma Bhushan. Pyarelal Sharma, part of the iconic music duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, was another recipient of the Padma Bhushan.
The Padma Vibhushan was awarded to acclaimed Bharatnatyam dancer Padma Subrahmanyam and Bombay Samachar owner Hormusji N Cama. Padma Subrahmanyam, celebrated for her contributions to ‘Natyashashtra,’ is set to receive the Padma Vibhushan, while Cama, a former chairman of Press Trust of India (PTI) and owner of Bombay Samachar, will be honored with the Padma Bhushan.
The list of awardees extends beyond the realm of cinema and performing arts, recognizing figures like art collector-philanthropist Kiran Nadar, bhajan singer Kaluram Bamaniya, kathak exponent Ramlal Berath, and Gujarati poet-novelist Raghuveer Choudhary with the Padma Shri.
In total, the awards include five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri Awards. The diverse list features 30 women awardees and includes eight individuals from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI, along with nine posthumous awardees. The Padma Awards continue to be a significant tradition, announced annually on Republic Day.
