NEW DELHI, Apr 22:
The President of India conferred Padma Shri to Ghulam Nabi Dar Mahabir Guddu in the field of Art from Jammu & Kashmir during Civil Investiture Ceremony in New Delhi today. A brief citation about the life and work of awardee is given below Ghulam Nabi Dar is a renowned septuagenarian wood carving artisan whose dedication to his craft has garnered both state and national recognition. His journey as a craftsman began at the tender age of 10, when he first discovered his passion for working with wood. Born on 3 rd April, 1957, Shri Dar’s artistic prowess flourished as he transitioned from traditional designs to creating his own unique works inspired by the breathtaking beauty of Kashmir’s natural landscapes. His keen eye for detail and his ability to capture the essence of nature in his carvings have earned him widespread acclaim.
Dar’s talent was officially recognized when he received a State award in 1984 for his outstanding contributions to the field of wood carving. Additionally, he had the opportunity to
Padma Shri on Ghulam
showcase his skills internationally, in Indonesia and Thailand including a memorable stint working in Baghdad in 1978 and Lichtenstein, Germany in 2003. However, it was in 1995-96 that his craftsmanship reached new heights when he was honoured with the prestigious National award. This recognition not only celebrated his exceptional artistic talent but also acknowledged his significant contribution to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Kashmir through his intricate wood carvings.
Beyond Dar’s awards and accolades, he remains deeply committed to passing on his knowledge and skills to future generations. He actively mentors aspiring wood carvers and participates in community initiatives aimed at preserving traditional crafts in Kashmir. Today, he continues to inspire and captivate audiences with his exquisite wood carvings, which can be found adorning homes, galleries, and museums both nationally and internationally. His legacy as a master wood carving artisan continues to enrich the cultural tapestry of Kashmir and beyond.
Meanwhile,
Former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu, founder of Sulabh International Bindeshwar Pathak and a host of other prominent persons were conferred with Padma Awards by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremonial function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on April 22.
Mr. Naidu, Mr. Pathak, who was given the award posthumously, and renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Padma Subrahmanyam were conferred with the Padma Vibhushan
Actor Mithun Chakraborty, singer Usha Uthup, former Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik and industrialist Sitaram Jindal were conferred with the Padma Bhushan.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs
Naidu, Mithun,
Minister S Jaishankar, among others, were present at the function.
Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian honours of the country, are conferred in three categories — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
The awards are given in various disciplines or fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, the Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order and the Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field.
The awards are announced on the eve of Republic Day every year.
For 2024, the President had approved conferment of 132 Padma awards, including two duo cases (in a duo case, the award is counted as one).
The list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 110 Padma Shri awards.
As many as 30 of the awardees are women and the list also includes eight people from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and nine posthumous awardees.
While almost half of the awardees were conferred the awards on Monday, the remaining are likely to get them next week. (Agencies)
