On Republic Day, the government announced the prestigious Padma Awards for 2025, honoring 139 individuals with the highest civilian honors. Among the recipients are seven Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awardees. However, singer Sonu Nigam took to Instagram shortly after the announcement to question the jury’s decision in overlooking several prominent artists this year.
In a video posted on Instagram, Sonu expressed his dissatisfaction with the awards, citing legends like Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar who he believes deserve more recognition. He mentioned artists like Alka Yagnik, Shreya Ghoshal, and Sunidhi Chauhan, who, according to him, have made significant contributions to the music industry but were not honored with Padma Awards.
The Padma Awards, also known as the highest civilian honors, are given in three categories based on recommendations from the Padma Awards Committee. The committee, headed by the Cabinet Secretary, includes eminent members who propose names for the awards to the Prime Minister and President for approval.
Sonu Nigam, often referred to as the ‘Modern Rafi’, received the Padma Shri in 2022 for his remarkable contributions to music. He has sung in multiple languages and has delivered numerous hit songs throughout his career. Sonu has won several awards, including National Awards, Filmfare Awards, and IIFA Awards, for his outstanding playback singing.
It is clear that Sonu Nigam’s concerns about the selection process for the Padma Awards raise important questions about recognizing deserving artists and their contributions to Indian music.
