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Legendary singer Sandhya Mukherjee rejects Padma Shri award

News Desk || risingbd.com

Published: 22:44, 25 January 2022  
Legendary singer Sandhya Mukherjee rejects Padma Shri award

Legendary Bengali singer Sandhya Mukherjee has rejected the Padma Shri honour being bestowed on her by the Government of India. Considered to be the prima donna of Bengali playback industry, she received the Banga Bibhushan, the highest civilian honour of West Bengal in 2011.

As per latest reports the singer refused the Padma Shri, which is a part of the Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian Awards of the country. The awards are conferred in three categories - Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil services.

On being informed of the award, Sandhya Mukherjee rejected the honour announced by the Centre, stating, “Can’t accept the honour at this age, this wasn’t discussed or informed before. I would have refused then. Padma Shri coming now is an insult.”

As per reports, the noted singer further stated that she does not need Padma Shri and that her audience is everything for her. This year President of India Ram Nath Kovind has approved the conferment of 128 Padma Awards.

The youngest of six children, she began her career in Mumbai singing Hindi songs, starting with a song in the film Taarana in 1950. She sang, as a playback singer, in 17 Hindi films.

However, soon after, the singer returned to Kolkata in 1952, and cemented her place in the Bengali music industry, collaborating with the Bengali singer Hemanta Mukherjee with whom she sang numerous memorable duets.

Notably, Sandhya Mukherjee won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her songs in the films Jay Jayanti and Nishi Padma in the year 1970.

This year the Padma Awards also saw distinguished actor Victor Banerjee being conferred the Padma Bhushan and singer Sonu Nigam being awarded the Padma Shri.

Agencies

Dhaka/Nasim