Commonwealth

Among the nine Padma Bhushan winners were Vani Jairam and Suman Kalyanpur. The 91 Padma Shri awardees include M.M. Keeravaani, composer of "RRR" song "Natu Natu", which is in contention for the Best Original Song in this year's Oscars, and Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon. The awards recognise outstanding contributions are various disciplines/fields of activities.

Suresh Wadkar said - "Der aye, par durust aye.I am thankful to the government, my listeners and teachers," . For someone who has worked with major music directors, including Kalyanji-Anandji, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Ilaiyaraja, and sings in Hindi, Marathi and Bhojpuri films as well as in Odia, working in multiple languages is always exciting as it involves "living with the language".

Adnan Sami was honoured for his remarkable contribution in the field of music. "It is a great honour for me. I do not have the words...," he said during an interaction with IANS. "...behind this, there is the love of the countrymen for me. I have got this honour for the hard work, blood and sweat that I have shed over the years." ."Though there were difficulties, I still kept on moving forward by raising my spirits," he added. "While receiving the honour, I felt as if, the Government of India and the people of the country told me that, it is for your work on our behalf, that is why it is very valuable to me."