Lucknow: On the auspicious occasion of India’s 76th Republic Day and Uttar Pradesh Day, the Uttar Pradesh Department of Culture organized the prestigious “Alankaran Samaroha” at the Raj Bhavan in Lucknow. During this grand event, the Padma Shri Baba Yogendra Kala Samman-2025 was conferred upon distinguished artists Dr. Saroj Bhargava (Retired Principal, Baikunthi Devi Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Agra, and former Dean of the Fine Arts Department, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra), Dr. Mahavir Singh (Senior Artist and Art Educator, Basic LT, Muzaffarnagar), and Mr. Qaiser Art (Senior Artist, Mau).
The awards were presented by Her Excellency Anandiben Patel, Governor of Uttar Pradesh, and Honorable Minister for Culture, Uttar Pradesh Government, Girish Chandra Yadav, to honor the contributions of the recipients in the field of visual arts.
Dr. Shraddha Shukla, Director of the State Lalit Kala Akademi, Uttar Pradesh, explained the significance of the award, noting that it was instituted in 2024 in memory of Padma Shri Baba Yogendra Ji on his birth centenary. The award recognizes his unparalleled contribution to the field of visual arts. Baba Yogendra Ji dedicated his life to the promotion of art and artists, founding the organization Sanskar Bharati, which is committed to the preservation and promotion of fine arts and cultural values.
The ceremony was graced by notable dignitaries, including Dr. Sunil Kumar Vishwakarma (Chairman, State Lalit Kala Akademi, Uttar Pradesh), Shri Girish Chandra (Vice-Chairman, State Lalit Kala Akademi, Uttar Pradesh), Shri Mukesh Kumar Meshram (Principal Secretary, Department of Culture, Uttar Pradesh), Prof. Mandavi Singh (Vice-Chancellor, Bhatkhande Culture University, Lucknow), and Dr. Srishti Dhawan (Additional Director, Directorate of Culture, Uttar Pradesh). The family members of the awardees and staff of the academy were also present to witness the event.
This honor recognizes the exemplary contributions of the awardees:
- Dr. Saroj Bhargava, for her pioneering efforts in art education and her illustrious career in visual arts.
- Dr. Mahavir Singh, for his dedication to art education and his inspiring creations as a senior artist.
- Mr. Qaiser Art, for his significant contributions to the artistic heritage of Mau and his creative excellence.
The event celebrated not only the artistic excellence of the recipients but also the rich cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh, showcasing the state’s commitment to nurturing and honoring its artistic traditions.
