Mail News Service
Ranchi, May 27: Renowned Nagpuri folk singer and Bhinsariya Raga maestro Mahavir Nayak has been honored with the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu in a ceremony held in New Delhi on Tuesday. Hailed as the “Bhinsariya Kar Raja” (King of Bhinsariya Raga), Nayak has been an iconic figure in typical Nagpuri music since 1962, dedicating over five decades to preserving and promoting the traditional folk music of Jharkhand.
Following in the footsteps of earlier Padma Shri recipients from the state—Mukund Nayak and Madhu Mansuri Hansmukh—Mahavir Nayak has taken the soulful essence of Nagpuri music to national and international platforms. He notably performed in Taiwan alongside Padma Shri Mukund Nayak and Dr. Ramdayal Munda.
Over the years, Nayak has received numerous accolades, including the Lok Kala Ratna Award at the Bharat Lokrang Mahotsav in 2014 and a special honor during the Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2019. His recognition with the Padma Shri stands as a proud moment for Jharkhand’s cultural legacy. (w/gsd)
