Tarun Bhattacharya and Raja Kale Awarded the Tansen Award
Overview of the Ceremony
The 101st Tansen Music Festival in Gwalior was inaugurated virtually by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. Pandit Raja Kale was honored with the National Tansen Award for the year 2024, while Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya received the award for the year 2025. The festival began with captivating performances, including Dhrupad singing, Santoor playing, and classical vocal renditions, which added to the musical grandeur of the event.
A Historic Beginning
The opening ceremony took place on December 15 at the Chaturbhuj Temple, located within the historical Gwalior Fort. The National Tansen Award was presented to the recipients on this magnificent stage. Culture and Tourism Minister (Independent Charge) of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Dharmendra Singh Lodhi, presented the award at the venue. The award ceremony was also graced by the presence of several dignitaries, including the honored institutions of 2024 and 2025.
Details of the Awards
Pandit Raja Kale from Mumbai was awarded the National Tansen Award for the year 2024, and Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya from Kolkata was honored for the year 2025. The prestigious Raja Mansingh Tomar National Award for the year 2024 was presented to the Sadhana Parmarthik Sansthan Committee, Mandleshwar, and the Raghayan Sangeet Committee, Gwalior, received the award for 2025. Each awardee was given a cash prize of five lakh rupees, a certificate, and a shawl with fruit offerings.
Traditional Inaugural Ceremony
In keeping with tradition, the festival commenced with a special ceremony at the tomb of Tansen. A Harikatha and Milad were performed to mark the beginning of the event. The inaugural session of the music gathering featured an auspicious song and Dhrupad performance presented by students and faculty from the Government Madhav Music College, Gwalior. The performance of "Dhruv Kanth Swarodgaar" and the Dhrupad composition in Raga Vihag, "Mahadev Devan Pati," created a devotional atmosphere, setting the mood for the event.