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Renowned Indian music icon and sitar maestro Niladri Kumar received the esteemed Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar for the year 2023 from the Ministry of Culture and Sangeet Natak Akademi. Born into a family with a rich musical heritage, Niladri Kumar is a fifth-generation sitar player, inheriting his talent from his father, Pandit Kartick Kumar, a disciple of Ravi Shankar and a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar himself.

Throughout his career, Niladri Kumar has pushed boundaries and experimented with blending traditional Indian music with contemporary styles. From a very young age, he displayed exceptional talent in playing the sitar, making his first television appearance on Doordarshan at the age of seven. His contributions to Indian music have earned him widespread recognition both nationally and internationally.

The important Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar acknowledges Niladri Kumar’s outstanding work in performing arts, which is a big deal in his successful career. The award was presented to him by the Honorable President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, at a ceremony held in New Delhi on March 6.

In addition to his classical performances, Niladri Kumar has also ventured into Bollywood, collaborating with renowned artists and composing music for chart-topping songs. His versatility, dedication, and commitment to preserving and evolving Indian music have solidified his status as one of the most respected musicians in the country.