Manipuri dance doyen Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Bangladeshi cultural organisation Chhayanaut and sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar have been selected for the prestigious Tagore Award for the year 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
The jury under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi selected the three for their contribution to culture, a ministry statement said.
Under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, the prestigious Tagore Award is conferred for outstanding contribution to cultural harmony.
The award carries an amount of Rs 1 crore, a citation in a scroll, a plaque as well as an exquisite traditional handicraft/ handloom item.
While Singh's award recognises his contribution in keeping the Manipuri dance alive, it was also a tribute to Gurudev Rabindranath who was deeply influenced by Manipuri dance, the statement said.
When Rabindra Sangeet was banned in East Pakistan, Chhayanaut continued to promote liberal expression through secret renditions of Tagore songs and discussions on Tagore. The award was a recognition for their efforts.
Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma met Sutar, a close friend at his home and congratulated him.