A wave of joy swept across Balurghat and Pandharpur with the announcement of the Padma Shri award conferred on the late theatre personality Harimadhav Mukhopadhyay and Maharashtra’s stage artist Raghuveer Khedkar. Both artists have been honoured by the Government of India for their significant contributions to theatre arts.
Harimadhav Mukhopadhyay, a revered figure not only in Balurghat and North Bengal but throughout the northeastern theatre community, was recognised posthumously. Known for acting in and directing acclaimed plays like ‘Devanshi,’ Mukhopadhyay’s work earned widespread appreciation across the country. He passed away in March last year, and this year the government decided to honour his legacy with the Padma Shri. The announcement has deeply moved the local community. His son, Krishnendu Mukhopadhyay, shared that the Ministry of Human Resource Development personally informed the family about the award, bringing immense pride and happiness to all.
Similarly, Raghuveer Khedkar from Pandharpur, Maharashtra, received the Padma Shri for his invaluable efforts in preserving and promoting the traditional folk theatre form Tamasha. With a career spanning over four decades, Khedkar has carried forward the legacy of his mother, Kantabai Satarkar, taking Tamasha from rural villages to national stages. Expressing gratitude to the government, he called the recognition a matter of good fortune but also recalled the challenges he faced to achieve this honour. He dedicated the award to his mother and the entire Tamasha community.
The Padma Shri awards for 2026 spotlight these stalwarts for their dedication to the Indian performing arts, celebrating their lifelong commitment to enriching the cultural heritage of the nation.
