Cultutal Desk

Five eminent cultural personalities have been selected for the Prajna International Award 2026–2027 for their distinguished contributions to Indian art and culture.

The annual honorary award has been instituted by the Tapas Kumar Pal Academy of Music & Cultural Foundation to recognise contributions to music, education, cultural research, preservation and the transmission of traditional practices.

The awardees are Sri Ronnie Prentice-Roy, a vocalist, music director and educator from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada; Dr Pushpa Satyasheil, an academician, musicologist, violinist and Hindi poet from Delhi; Vidushi Dalia Rahut, a distinguished Hindustani classical vocalist from Kolkata; Pandit Harashankar Bhattacharya, an accomplished sitarist associated with the Jafferkhani Baaj; and Sri Naresh Bannerji, a Dhali dancer and Bratachari cultural exponent from Kolkata.

Ronnie Prentice Roy is being recognised for his contribution to the international promotion of Indian and Bengali music, while Dr Pushpa Satyasheil is being honoured for her research on the adaptation of the violin in Indian music.

Vidushi Dalia Rahut is being recognised for her contribution to Thumri and semi-classical music. Pandit Harashankar Bhattacharya is being honoured for his role in preserving and promoting the Jafferkhani Baaj. Sri Naresh Bannerji is being recognised for his contribution to traditional performance practices and cultural transmission.

The Foundation said the recipients were selected through a transparent process by an independent jury. It also expressed gratitude to the jury members for their expertise and commitment to recognising significant contributions to the cultural field.

The Prajna International Award Presentation Ceremony 2026–2027 will be held on January 3, 2027, at Uttam Mancha in Kolkata.

Tapas Kumar Paul, Founder and Secretary of the Foundation, congratulated the five awardees and acknowledged their contributions to the preservation and promotion of Indian cultural traditions.