BHOJPURI SINGER BHARAT SINGH BHARATI GETS ‘PADM SHRI’ AWARD

BHOJPURI SINGER BHARAT SINGH BHARATI GETS ‘PADM SHRI’ AWARD

26-MAY-ENG 17

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------On Monday, during the Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Her Excellency President Droupadi Murmu conferred the 'Padma Shri' award upon renowned Bhojpuri folk singer Bharat Singh Bharti for his outstanding contribution to the fields of art and music. An atmosphere of jubilation prevails in the Bhojpur district following Bharat Singh Bharti's receipt of the 'Padma Shri' award. Litterateurs, writers, journalists, and prominent intellectuals of the district have extended their congratulations to him. Upon receiving the Padma Shri award, Bharat Singh Bharti remarked, “This honor is a tribute to the Bhojpuri language and its folk culture. When people find joy in our songs, that, in itself, is the greatest reward.”

It is noteworthy that on January 25, 2026, the Government of India announced that Bharat Singh Bharti—a renowned and legendary Bhojpuri folk singer from Bihar—would be conferred with the ‘Padma Shri,’ the country's fourth-highest civilian honor. This award was bestowed upon him in recognition of his unparalleled contribution—spanning over seven decades (approximately 70 years)—to the field of folk singing and the preservation of Bhojpuri culture.

In the realm of Bihar’s folk music, Bharat Singh Bharti is a name synonymous with not only preserving traditional melodies but also giving them a distinct identity on the global stage. Bharat Singh Bharti was born on November 20, 1936, in the village of Nonaur (Agiyaon) in the Bhojpur (Arrah) district of Bihar. He began his journey in folk singing at the tender age of just 10. At the age of 15, he received formal musical training under the tutelage of the renowned *Mridang* maestro, Shatrunjay Prasad Singh, of Arrah. He is widely regarded as an authority on ‘Poorbi’—a distinct genre of Bhojpuri vocal music.

It was he who crafted both the lyrical structure and the melody for the famous Poorbi song, ‘Anguri Mein Dasle Biya...’—a composition originally penned by Mahender Misir. Over a span of more than seven decades, the 87-year-old Bharat Singh Bharti has made significant contributions toward the preservation and propagation of Bhojpuri folk songs and endangered genres such as *Pawariya*, *Lori*, *Jatsar*, and *Domkach*. Associated with Akashvani (All India Radio), Patna, since 1962, he has played a pivotal role in bringing recognition to Bhojpuri folk culture in various countries, including Mauritius. Bharat Singh Bharti—who once traveled from village to village on a bicycle, singing folk songs by the light of a lantern—is today revered as the ‘Guruji’ (Master) of the Bhojpuri world.

A figure who, for nearly seven decades, has kept the invaluable tradition of Bhojpuri folk music alive through his unwavering dedication and artistic devotion. The State Chief Minister, Samrat Chaudhary, has extended his congratulations and best wishes to the esteemed Bharat Singh Bharti on being conferred with the Padma Shri award. He remarked that Mr. Bharti's contribution—ranging from the codification of the grammar of *Poorbi* singing to the preservation of the purity and cultural heritage of folk music—is unparalleled and truly inspiring. Despite remaining away from the limelight, the flame of folk culture that he has kindled will continue to serve as a source of inspiration and a cultural legacy for generations to come.