Padma Shri 2026: Bengal Bags 11 Honours in Arts, Medicine and Education

West Bengal : The list of recipients of the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri awards has been announced on the eve of Republic Day. A total of 131 honourees received these honours, with 11 from West Bengal. Although are no recipients from West Bengal in the Padma Vibhushan or Padma Bhushan categories this year, the following individuals are receiving the Padma Shri award:

• Ashok Kumar Haldar (Literature and Education)
• Gambhir Singh Yonzone (Literature and Education)
• Harimadhab Mukhopadhyay (posthumous) (Art)
• Jyotish Devnath (Art)
• Kumar Bose (Art)
• Mahendranath Roy (Literature and Education)
• Prosenjit Chatterjee (Art)
• Rabilal Tudu (Literature and Education)
• Saroj Mondal (Medicine)
• Tarun Bhattacharya (Art)
• Tripti Mukherjee (Art)

Rabilal Tudu, a resident of Noara in Badla, Kalna, is receiving the Padma Shri for his contributions to Santali literature. In 2022, the state government awarded him the Banga Bhushan. Since his student days, he has written plays and acted in them. His book ‘Bir Birsa’, a biography of Birsa Munda, brought him widespread recognition.

Jyotish Devnath, a resident of Baruipara in Kalna town, Burdwan, is being honored with the Padma Shri for his contributions to the muslin industry. He has been involved in muslin work since the age of seven.

Harimadhab Mukhopadhyay, a distinguished theatre personality from Balurghat, made an extraordinary contribution to theatre. For nearly six decades, he worked in acting, direction, and writing in theatre. This eminent figure from Balurghat has been awarded the Padma Shri (posthumous).

Chemistry professor Mahendranath Roy has made notable contributions to research in nanozymes.Tabla maestro Kumar Bose has contributed to the music world for more than five decades. A performer of the Benaras gharana, his performances have mesmerized audiences. He is now receiving the Padma Shri.

In the field of medicine, Dr. Saroj Mondal has made significant contributions to the cardiology department.

Another prominent Bengali artist in the music world is receiving the Padma Shri. Santoor maestro Tarun Bhattacharya has been recognized by the central government.

Tripti Mukherjee has worked for a long time on Kantha stitch handicrafts. She has trained more than 20,000 women in handicrafts. For her contributions to the arts, she is receiving the Padma Shri.

Shri.Ashok Kumar Haldar has made special contributions to literature. In his early life, he was a railway employee. As a Dalit writer, his achievements have now received national recognition.

Gambhir Singh Yonzone, former principal of Kalimpong College, has devoted his life to studying the flora of the hills. His dedication has been to researching medicinal plants of the Himalayas. He is now receiving the Padma Shri.