President confers Padma awards to three eminent personalities

Delhi: In a distinguished civil investiture ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, conferred the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards on three exceptional individuals in recognition of their lifelong dedication and outstanding contributions to Indian culture, literature, and education. Veteran Sattriya exponent Nityacharya Jatin Goswami was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, the nation’s third-highest civilian award, for his seminal role in preserving and promoting the classical Sattriya dance form. Born on August 2, 1933, Goswami received his foundational training from his father and later refined his artistry under the guidance of Maniram Dutta Muktiar, Rosheswar Saikia Barbayan, and Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha. A pioneer of modern Ankiya Nat performances, Goswami played a key role in reviving the traditional narrative dance-drama through mobile cultural troupes and the founding of Pragjyoti Kala Parishad. His efforts extended across Assam’s Satras and Namghars, ensuring cultural transmission and public engagement. Previously, he was awarded the Padma Shri (2008), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2004), Kalidas Samman (2017), and Akademi Ratna Fellowship (2019). The Padma Shri was conferred upon Shri Rewakanth Mahanta, Satradhikar of Khatpara Satra, Sivasagar, for his exemplary contribution to the traditional arts of mask-making and Mukha Bhaona—a unique performance form combining dance, drama, and storytelling with elaborate masks, intrinsic to the Sattriya tradition. Born on April 19, 1935, Mahanta inherited the craft from his father and elevated it to international acclaim. His handmade masks have been featured in exhibitions and museums in India, Russia, Japan, Australia, and the USA. Over the years, Mahanta has been recognized with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2015), the Bishnu Rabha State Award (2019), and numerous accolades from over 100 institutions. Renowned writer, translator, and educator Smt. Geeta Upadhyaya was also conferred the Padma Shri for her profound contributions to literature and education. Born on February 14, 1939, Upadhyaya made history as the first woman from Assam’s Gorkha community to obtain a postgraduate degree. She served as a respected professor and later Head of the Political Science Department at Sibsagar College for over 30 years. A Sahitya Akademi Award recipient, Upadhyaya is best known for her influential works like Janmabhumi Mero Swadesh and a biography of freedom fighter Chabilal Upadhyaya. Her translations of The Diary of Anne Frank and the Ramayana into Assamese, along with her Assamese-to-Nepali translations, have played a vital role in fostering cross-cultural literary exchange. Beyond her literary achievements, she is actively involved in academic and social welfare boards, particularly in the realm of juvenile justice.