The holy city of Varanasi is celebrating a momentous achievement as three distinguished individuals associated with Banaras Hindu University have been honored with the prestigious Padma Awards for 2026. The announcement, made on the eve of Republic Day, brings immense pride to the academic and cultural community of the region.
Prof N Rajam: A Musical Legend Receives Padma Vibhushan
Violinist Prof N Rajam, an eminent exponent of Hindustani classical music, has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan, adding to her already illustrious collection of honors. Born in Chennai in 1938, Rajam comes from a family deeply rooted in music. Her father, Vidwan A Narayana Iyer, was a noted Carnatic music exponent, and her brother T N Krishnan was a renowned violinist in the Carnatic style.
Rajam began her training in Carnatic music under her father and later honed her skills in raga development under the guidance of vocalist Omkarnath Thakur. She served as a professor of music at BHU, where she also held the positions of head of the department and dean of the faculty of performing arts.
Her previous accolades include the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2004, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, which is the highest honor in performing arts conferred by India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama.
Prof Shyam Sundar: Medical Pioneer Awarded Padma Shri
Prof Shyam Sundar from the medicine department of the Institute of Medical Sciences at BHU has been honored with the Padma Shri for his groundbreaking contributions to the diagnosis and treatment of kala-azar, a neglected tropical disease.
His research has led to significant advancements, including the development of a single-dose treatment using liposomal amphotericin B, which is now recognized by the World Health Organization and used in India's disease control programs. He expressed his joy, stating, "I am extremely happy to receive Padma Shri."
Prof Sundar's work also includes the first successful trial of multi-drug therapy for kala-azar, which received WHO approval, and the development of miltefosine, the first effective oral drug for the disease, now used globally. Additionally, he pioneered the RK-39 strip test for diagnosis.
His efforts have been previously recognized with honors such as the Visitor Award by the President and the Dr PN Raju Oration award.
Prof Mangla Kapoor: An Inspiring Acid Attack Survivor
Former BHU music professor Mangla Kapoor, an acid attack survivor, has been recognized for her resilience and contributions to society. In 1965, she survived a brutal acid attack that required six years of hospitalization, yet she persevered to complete her education and become a professor at BHU.
Associated with the Gwalior gharana, Kapoor is a dedicated teacher of classical music who provides free music education to inspire positive change in society. She has been honored as ‘Kashi ki Lata' by the Tarang institution in 1982 and received the ‘Role Model' award from the Rajya Sabha.
Her life story has inspired a Marathi film titled ‘Mangla', highlighting her journey of overcoming adversity.
BHU Community Celebrates the Achievements
BHU Vice-Chancellor Prof Ajik Kumar Chaturvedi expressed his elation, saying, "It is a moment of immense happiness and pride that three members of the BHU family have been conferred the Padma Awards." This recognition not only honors the individuals but also underscores the university's role in fostering excellence across diverse fields.
The Padma Awards 2026 have thus spotlighted the extraordinary contributions of these three professors, whose work in music, medicine, and social empowerment continues to inspire and impact lives far beyond the confines of Varanasi.
