CM Sukhu congratulates Kullu folk singer on national award
Synopsis
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu congratulated Kullu-based folk singer Shri Indrajit on winning the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2024 — the Sangeet Natak Akademi's national award for young performing artists — for his work in Himachali folk music.
Key Takeaways
Shri Indrajit , a folk singer from Kullu, Himachal Pradesh , has been honoured with the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2024 in New Delhi .
The award is conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi , India's national academy for performing arts, for young artists under 40 .
The recognition is specifically for Indrajit's contributions to Himachal Pradesh's folk music traditions.
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended congratulations on 20 October 2026 , calling it a matter of pride for all Himachalis.
The award is named after shehnai legend Ustad Bismillah Khan and covers music, dance, and theatre.
A voice from the valleys of Kullu has earned national recognition — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, extended warm congratulations to folk singer Shri Indrajit for being honoured with the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2024 for his contributions to Himachali folk music.
Posting on X, Chief Minister Sukhu wrote: 'नई दिल्ली में कुल्लू निवासी लोकगायक श्री इंद्रजीत जी को हिमाचल प्रदेश के लोकसंगीत के लिए वर्ष 2024 के प्रतिष्ठित उस्ताद बिस्मिल्लाह खाँ युवा पुरस्कार से सम्मानित किए जाने पर हार्दिक बधाई।' — 'Heartfelt congratulations to folk singer Shri Indrajit of Kullu on being honoured with the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2024 in New Delhi for Himachal Pradesh's folk music.' He added that by bringing Himachal's folk tunes to national recognition through his music, Indrajit has brought glory to the state's culture, and 'all Himachalis are proud of this achievement.'
What the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar means
The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar is conferred annually by the Sangeet Natak Akademi — India's apex national academy for music, dance, and drama — to young performing artists under the age of 40. The award is named after the legendary shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, and recognises excellence across music, dance, and theatre. Winning it in the folk music category places Shri Indrajit firmly among the country's most celebrated young cultural practitioners.
Kullu's folk traditions find a national stage
Himachal Pradesh is home to rich, regionally distinct folk music traditions, with the Kullu valley being among the most culturally vibrant pockets of the Himalayan state. Folk forms from this region — with their characteristic melodies tied to seasonal festivals and agrarian life — have historically remained rooted in local performance circuits. Shri Indrajit's recognition signals their arrival on a wider national canvas. It is a moment that resonates beyond one artist's achievement, reflecting a broader pattern of Himalayan folk traditions earning institutional validation alongside classical arts in India.
State chief ministers across India regularly amplify such national cultural recognitions — and rightly so. Each award to a regional folk artist is also an argument for continued state investment in living cultural heritage.
Point of View
Given the Sangeet Natak Akademi's stature as India's apex cultural body, making this more than routine congratulation. The recognition of a Kullu folk musician signals a quiet but consistent trend: Himalayan folk traditions gaining formal national standing, not merely folkloric curiosity. For Himachal Pradesh, which often competes for cultural visibility with more populous northern states, each such award is also a soft-power moment worth amplifying.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar?
It is an annual national award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi to young performing artists under 40 for excellence in music, dance, or theatre. It is named after shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan.
Who is Shri Indrajit and why was he awarded?
Shri Indrajit is a folk singer from Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. He received the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2024 for his contributions to Himachal Pradesh's folk music traditions.
Which organisation gives the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar?
The Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's national academy for music, dance, and drama, administers and confers the award.
What did CM Sukhu say about the award?
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said Shri Indrajit brought Himachal's folk tunes to national recognition and glorified the state's culture, calling it a matter of pride for all Himachalis.
What folk music traditions does Kullu in Himachal Pradesh have?
The Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh has distinct folk music traditions tied to seasonal festivals and local culture, which have now received national institutional recognition through this award.
