Lucknow:

The prestigious Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi (UPSNA) awards for music, dance and drama which were discontinued in 2003 have been revived. This was announced by UPSNA president Naved Siddiqui and secretary Veena Vidyarthi on Thursday.

“Besides a shawl and brass plaque, awardees will be given a purse money of Rs 10,001 on November 11,” said Siddiqui.

The past 12 years awards will be given in retrospect in two phases. To begin with, awards this year will be given for those entitled between 2003-2008 and in the next financial year the remaining till 2014 will be honored.

Out of the 115 entries, 66 have been shortlisted (11 artistes are awarded annually) to be honoured with Sangeet Natak Akademi awards and 12 for Ratan Sadasyata at the three-day fest from November 11-13 to mark the centenary of UPSNA.

Ratan Sadasyata will be given to Sulochana Brahaspati (classical music) and Hari Prasad Chaurasiya (flute) for 2003; N Rajan (violin) and Daya Prakash Sinha (stage drama) for 2004; Savita Devi (light classical music) and Rajan Mishr (classical music) for 2005; Chhannulal Mishra (classical music) and Anoop Jalota (light classical music) for 2006; Saadat Hussain (qawwali) and Anil Rastogi (drama) for 2007 and Mudra Rakshas (drama) and Wilayat Jaafri (drama) for 2008.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / October 10th, 2014