Padma Awards: Muslim artists, scholars honoured for excellence in folk arts, literature, education
New Delhi: Veteran actor Mammootty and four other distinguished Muslim personalities have been honoured with the Padma Awards 2026, on the eve of Republic Day. The awards recognise outstanding contributions across fields such as art, culture, literature and education.
Muhammad Kutty Panaparambil Ismail, famed as Mammootty, the towering figure of Malayalam cinema has been conferred the Padma Bhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian award. With a career spanning more than five decades, the multilingual actor has featured in over 400 films including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and English.
Speaking to Mathrubhumi News, Mammootty said, "Santosham, athi santhosham… there is nothing bigger than the honour from the country"
Mammootty was previously honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021 and was a National Film Awardee thrice; In addition to it, he also have won 11 Kerala State Film Awards.
Ghaffaruddin Mewati Jogi, from Rajasthan, one among the other Padma Shree awardees, has been recognised for his contribution to folk arts. The maestro of the Bhapang instrument and the sole surviving practitioner of Pandun ka Kada, a Mahabharata-based folk story telling custom, he has preserved the said folk art for about six decades. Hailing from the Mewati Jogi community, celebrated for the syncretic musical heritage, Ghaffaruddin’s performances were abstracts from epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana; Also, his narratives were centred around Hindu deities like Shiva, Shri Ram, and Shri Krishna. Responding to the honour came his way, he said, "It is a great joy to see my work recognised at the national level. I hope our folk traditions continue to inspire future generations"
Gujarati folk musician Mir Hajibhai Kasambhai, famed as Haji Ramakdu, has also been awarded the Padma Shri. Renowned for his excellence in playing the Dholak, he has performed extensively in various genres including Bhajans, Santvani, Ghazals and Qawwali, with more than 3,000 performances and over 1,000 stage shows to his credit.
Nuruddin Ahmed, an Assamese sculptor and visual artist, has been honoured for his contributions to art and culture. Famed for his Durga Puja idols, temple sculptures and large-scale installations, his creations reflect a blend of scriptural knowledge and artistic craftsmanship. He has also sculpted figures of prominent Assamese personalities such as Bhupen Hazarika and Gopinath Bordoloi.
Responding to the honour came his way, he said, "Art is a way to connect with people and culture. I am humbled that my work has been recognised nationally"
Prof. Shafi Shauq, an academic and literary figure from Kashmir, has also been named for the Padma Shri in recognition of his contributions to education and literature. Born in 1950, Shauq has authored, edited and translated more than 100 works in Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi and English, including the widely regarded Keeshur Lugaat and Kaeshir Zabana ti Adibuk Tawaariekh. He served as a professor at the University of Kashmir for over 30 years, mentoring generations of students and scholars. "It is a matter of immense pride to be recognised for work I have devoted my life to" Shauq expressed his joy.
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Unruly scenes witnessed in Punjab Assembly
Chandigarh (PTI): The Punjab Assembly on Friday witnessed high drama on Friday after Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira made an allegedly objectionable remark against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during an intense argument over the alleged use of mobile phone in the house by the legislator.
During the one-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha here, Mann accused Khaira of using a mobile phone when Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan was reading out an official resolution on the revision of wages.
After rising from his seat, the chief minister pointed to the speaker, claiming that Khaira is busy on his mobile phone and urged him to ask the Congress MLA what Sandhwan had said about the resolution.
The speaker then asked Khaira to maintain order in the house and listen to the resolution carefully.
Mann then asked Khaira, "Why don't you go out and then use it (mobile phone)," which led to a strong verbal altercation during which the opposition MLA hurled an accusation against the chief minister. Meanwhile, the speaker appealed for order and insisted that the chair be addressed.
However, both Mann and Khaira continued arguing and could be seen pointing fingers at each other as the proceedings of the house were disrupted.
The AAP MLAs also rose from their seats with Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema condemning Khaira for his conduct and demanded action against him.
Cheema further alleged that Khaira "always tries to disturb the house" as he spoke about his conduct in the assembly.
The incident occurred as an official resolution on the revision of wages was presented at the special session by Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond who said it paid homage to labourers on the International Workers' Day.
"Workers are the axis of construction of the nation, the community, the state and society. Every construction project succeeds only through their blood and sweat," the resolution read.
As per the resolution, "The base rate of minimum wages for the working class in Punjab was last revised in the year 2012. Although the dearness allowance has continued to increase since 2012, there has been no increase in the base rate of minimum wages.
On this sacred occasion of May Day, in this special session of the legislative assembly, this house proposes to revise and increase the minimum wages of labourers and strongly recommends to the government to take a decision regarding the increase of minimum wages for workers, so that the contributions of the workers can be acknowledged." PRK
