1
The Sangeet Natak Akademi was established in which year by the Government of India?
🏆 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
By Priya Sharma · Static GK Expert
50 Questions Awards & Honours
A collection of 20 high-quality objective questions covering the history, significance, and recipients of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
2
Who was the first Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi?
3
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is conferred by which Ministry/Body under the Government of India?
4
Which of the following fields is NOT covered by the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards?
5
In which city is the headquarters of the Sangeet Natak Akademi located?
6
The 'Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship' (Akademi Ratna) is considered the highest honour given to performing artists. How many fellows are usually present at any given time?
7
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for an individual includes a cash prize of how much?
8
Which of the following classical dance forms has seen the highest number of Akademi awardees historically?
9
Which institution operates as a constituent unit of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, focusing on Kathak dance?
10
The 'Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar' is awarded by the Sangeet Natak Akademi to artists under which age limit?
11
Who was the first recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in the field of Hindustani Vocal music (1952-53)?
12
Which of the following is an award-winning category specifically focused on preserving rare and endangered art forms?
13
Which organization manages the 'National School of Drama' in collaboration with the Sangeet Natak Akademi?
14
The prestigious 'Tagore Ratna' and 'Tagore Puraskar' were awards introduced by the Sangeet Natak Akademi to commemorate whose 150th birth anniversary?
15
Which classical dance style originated in Assam and was given formal recognition by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000?
16
Which award is given for 'Overall Contribution/Scholarship' in the Performing Arts by the Akademi?
17
The Sangeet Natak Akademi awards are primarily divided into how many main categories of performing arts?
18
Who among the following Bharatnatyam dancers was the first dancer to be awarded the Padma Vibhushan, having earlier received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award?
19
Which of these is NOT a location where the Sangeet Natak Akademi runs a specialized training centre?
20
The 'Tamrapatra' presented to an awardee of the Sangeet Natak Akademi is made of:
21
The Sangeet Natak Akademi functions as an autonomous body under the administrative control of which ministry?
22
Which specific category of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is exclusively awarded to young artists who have shown extraordinary talent in their early careers?
23
The Sangeet Natak Akademi was inaugurated by which distinguished personality in 1953?
24
Which of the following dance forms did the Sangeet Natak Akademi classify as 'Classical' in the year 2000, bringing the total to eight?
25
The 'Akademi Ratna' (Fellowship) is considered the highest honour in the performing arts. What is the limit on the number of living fellows permitted at any given time?
26
Which of these institutions, dedicated to the training of Manipuri dance, is a constituent unit of the Sangeet Natak Akademi?
27
What is the primary objective of the 'Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar' concerning the diverse cultural traditions of India?
28
The 'Kathak Kendra' in New Delhi, which serves as a premier centre for Kathak education, is managed by which body?
29
The Sangeet Natak Akademi award recognition for 'Hindustani Music' is further subdivided into which of these categories?
30
Which of the following awards was instituted by the Akademi to recognize the contributions of those working in the field of Indian Puppetry?
31
The 'Tamrapatra' presented to an awardee is accompanied by an 'Angavastram'. What does the award package essentially represent?
32
Who was the first woman artist to be conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship?
33
In which city is the 'Kutiyattam Kendra', a dedicated centre for the preservation of the UNESCO-recognized Kutiyattam art form, located?
34
The Sangeet Natak Akademi awards are traditionally presented by which official dignitary?
35
Which of the following is NOT a field considered for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award?
36
The 'Tagore Ratna' was a special one-time award presented in which year to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore?
37
Which of the following forms is officially recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi under the 'Theatre' category?
38
The Sangeet Natak Akademi maintains a repository of cultural heritage through which of these methods?
39
Which famous Hindustani classical singer received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1956 and later became the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna?
40
The selection of awardees for the Sangeet Natak Akademi is performed by:
41
Which among the following classical dance styles was granted formal recognition by the Sangeet Natak Akademi as the eighth classical dance of India in the year 2000?
42
The 'Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar' is given to young artists to encourage their contribution to which of the following?
43
Apart from the cash prize, what are the two items traditionally presented to the Sangeet Natak Akademi awardees?
44
Who was the first ever person to be conferred with the 'Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship' (Akademi Ratna)?
45
The 'Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy', a prominent constituent unit of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, is located in which city?
46
Under the Sangeet Natak Akademi's classification, which sub-field of music covers the 'Dhrupad' style?
47
Which of the following is the highest honour bestowed by the Sangeet Natak Akademi for life-long achievement?
48
The Sangeet Natak Akademi was created to preserve and promote the vast intangible heritage of India's diverse culture. In this context, it focuses on which of the following?
49
Which legendary Odissi dancer was the first to receive the Sangeet Natak Akademi award for Odissi dance in 1966?
50
The 'Kathak Kendra', a major constituent unit of the Akademi, is an premier centre for which of the following?
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Important Notes — Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Overview and Genesis of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is the highest national recognition conferred upon practicing artists in the field of performing arts in India. It is administered by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, which is the National Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama. Established in 1953 by a resolution of the Government of India, the Akademi is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture.
The award serves to recognize the sustained individual contribution and excellence in various genres of Indian performing arts, including music, dance, theatre, traditional, folk, and tribal arts, as well as puppetry and allied theatre forms.
Key Details for Competitive Exams
- Award Significance: Considered the "Gold Standard" for performing artists in India.
- Nature of Award: It consists of a purse money of ₹1,00,000, a Tamrapatra (copper plaque), and an Angavastram.
- Inauguration: The awards were first conferred in 1952 (the Akademi was formally inaugurated in 1953, but the first awards were presented to honor the field).
- Frequency: These are annual awards.
- Scope: The awards are presented to artists from diverse streams:
- Music: Hindustani, Carnatic, Traditional/Folk, and Sugam Sangeet.
- Dance: Classical styles (Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Sattriya) and folk/tribal traditions.
- Theatre: Playwriting, direction, acting, and allied arts like light and stage design.
Important Exam Points and Eligibility Criteria
For UPSC, SSC, and state-level PSC aspirants, it is essential to distinguish between the various fellowships and awards bestowed by the Akademi.
The Akademi Fellowship vs. Award
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna): This is the highest honor, restricted to a very small number of living persons at any given time (maximum 40). It carries a purse of ₹3,00,000.
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award: Given to artists for their contribution to a specific genre. The number of awards presented annually is generally limited to roughly 40–50 recipients.
Frequently Asked Exam Facts
- Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar: This is a separate category instituted in 2006 to encourage young artists (under the age of 40) in the field of performing arts.
- Selection Process: The awards are decided by the General Council of the Akademi, which consists of eminent artists and scholars appointed by the Government of India.
- Constitutional/Legal Status: The Sangeet Natak Akademi is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and is funded by the Union Ministry of Culture.
Contextual Notes
The awards are part of the state's efforts to preserve India's Intangible Cultural Heritage. By recognizing masters of regional folk and tribal forms alongside classical performers, the award underscores the Akademi’s role as the apex body for the promotion of India’s performing arts heritage at the national level.
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About the Author
PS
Priya Sharma Static GK Expert
Indian History · Geography · Polity & Economy Specialist
With 8+ years of teaching static GK for competitive exams, Priya has helped thousands of students master the foundational subjects that appear year after year in UPSC, SSC, and Railway exams. She focuses on making history, geography, and polity approachable through well-structured MCQs and memorable explanations.
