PATNA: Four artists from Bihar were among the total 84 from across the country received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards in New Delhi on Saturday for their contribution in performing arts to mark the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava. These awards are given to the artists above 75 years of age and not accorded any national honour in their career earlier.The four Bihar artists are Raghubir Mallik, Ganesh Prasad Sinha (overall contribution in performing arts), Bharat Singh Bharti (folk music) and Suman Kumar (acting). Mallik (88) hails from Gangdah village in Darbhanga and belongs to Darbhanga gharana of Dhrupad music. His son Ranjay, who is following in his fathers footsteps, said, "He has got many awards, but this will be the first national award. I know it is late, but we all are happy that his work is being recognised," he said.Unfortunately, my father will not be able to perform as he cannot hear and is too old now, Ranjay added. Born in Nawada in 1932, Ganesh has directed around 50 plays, including Konark, Mani Goswami, Dhruvswamini and Soordas. While talking to TOI over the phone, his son Rajesh Sinha, a principal in government school, said it was a proud moment for them. The best thing is that he is still active in theatres. He started performing in drama when there was hardly any resource available, said Rajesh, who accompanied his father to New Delhi to receive the award. Bharat Singh Bharti was born in 1936 in Bhojpur district. He received training in folk music from Satrunjay Prasad, known as Lalan Ji. He has played an important role in promoting folk music of Bihar across the country as well as abroad. He has been honoured with several awards, including Bhikhari Thakur Smriti Samman. Born in Patna, Suman (75) had been an announcer with the AIR from 1974 to 2007. He is also an artist and a drama teacher. He has produced several radio plays and also performed and directed some of them. He has been deeply involved in producing plays for children.

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