Popular Bengali actor Mithun Chakraborty and renowned musician Usha Uthup have been awarded Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian honour. They were awarded the 2024 award for special contribution to the arts.
President Draupadi Murmu presented the Padma Bhushan to them at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi on Monday (April 22). Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar were present on the occasion.
On January 25, the list of Padma Bhushan awardees was published by the Government of India. Padma Bhushan was awarded to people who have contributed in various fields of society through a colorful ceremony on Monday.
Popular actor Mithun Chakraborty’s long acting journey in the art industry has been colorful. His acting in different languages has made a different place in the minds of the audience. Mithun Chakraborty started his acting career in the Bengali film world in 1976 with the famous director Mrinal Sen’s movie ‘Mrigaya’. His performance in the first film was appreciated.
In the same year, the actor made his debut in Bollywood with the Hindi movie ‘Do Anjaane’ directed by Dulal Guha. After that, there was no looking back. He made a permanent seat in the hearts of the fans by presenting super hit movies one after another. The audience was repeatedly impressed by his performance.
Expressing the feeling of receiving the Padma Bhushan award, Mithun Chakraborty said, I am proud. Very happy to receive this award. I have never asked anything for myself from anyone. When I got the call that you are getting Padma Bhushan, I was silent for a minute. Because I didn’t expect it at all.
The actor also said, today I feel the feeling of getting something without asking. It’s a completely different feeling. A great feeling. I want to thank everyone.
Although not Bengali by birth, musician Usha Uthup has Bengali in his heart. His love for Bengal is always hinted at by writing ‘A’ on his forehead. The song ‘Kolkata Kolkata Don’t Worry Kolkata’ in his voice touched the hearts of all Bengalis.
Apart from Mithun Chakraborty and Usha Uthup, two more Bengalis from West Bengal have been awarded the Padma Bhushan. They are Chou dance mask artist Nepal Chandra Sutradhar and Purulia tribal environmental activist Dukhu Majhi. On this day, five Padma Bhushan and 17 Padma Bhushan were awarded at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi.
DD/MKR
