President Draupadi Murmu Honours Eminent Personalities at Grand Padma Awards Ceremony 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan; Three from Rajasthan Conferred Padma Shri

Jaipur, May 2026 : A grand Padma Awards Ceremony 2026 was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu honoured several eminent personalities from across the country for their outstanding contributions in various fields.

On this occasion, three distinguished personalities from Rajasthan were conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award for the year 2026 in recognition of their exceptional contribution to art and social service. The awardees include folk artists and social workers who have made remarkable efforts in preserving cultural heritage and serving society.

In the field of art, Gaffaruddin Mewati Jogi and Tagaram Bhil were honoured, while Swami Brahmadev Ji Maharaj was awarded in the field of social service. All three were conferred the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award.

Gaffaruddin Mewati Jogi, a resident of Deeg in Rajasthan, was honoured for preserving Mewati folk music and traditional art forms and for giving them global recognition. For several decades, he has been dedicated to keeping alive the tradition of Bhapang playing and is considered a unique exponent of this folk style. He is also skilled in playing several traditional instruments, including the algoza, chikara, and jogi sarangi, among nearly 12 folk instruments. His performances reflect the rich cultural heritage and history of the Mewat region.

Gaffaruddin Mewati Jogi has performed in several countries including London, Paris, Canada, and France, thereby giving Indian folk music international recognition. He has also been honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

In the same ceremony, Tagaram Bhil from Jaisalmer was also conferred the Padma Shri for his contribution to folk art. Belonging to the Bhil community, he is one of Rajasthan’s well-known algoza players. He has devoted himself to folk music since childhood and has been promoting tribal musical traditions for more than three decades.

Tagaram Bhil is also proficient in instruments such as the matka and flute. He has performed at major cultural events including the Rajasthan Desert Festival. His artistry has been widely appreciated on national and international platforms. He also personally crafts algoza instruments, which are in demand both in India and abroad. Through his performances and workshops in countries such as France, the United States, Japan, Russia, and several European nations, he has helped give global recognition to Rajasthan’s tribal folk art.

The third awardee from Rajasthan, Swami Brahmadev Ji Maharaj of Sri Ganganagar, was honoured with the Padma Shri for his contributions to social service. He has long been actively engaged in welfare work through education and healthcare initiatives. His notable contribution lies in supporting visually and hearing-impaired children.

Swami Brahmadev Ji Maharaj established the Shri Jagdamba Andh Vidyalaya, which provides free education, hostel facilities, and care for blind children. A special school for hearing and speech-impaired children is also run under the institution. Additionally, he founded the Shri Jagdamba Charitable Eye Hospital, which provides free eye check-ups and treatment for needy people. For over two decades, the hospital has been continuously engaged in service activities, benefiting thousands of people through accessible healthcare.