At a recent civil investiture ceremony, the Honourable President Draupadi Murmu presented renowned flute virtuoso Pandit Ronu Majumdar with the Padma Shri, India’s third-highest civilian award, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The award was dedicated by Pandit Ronu Majumdar to his parents, gurus, and the entire Indian population.

“Receiving this esteemed award at this crucial time, Padma Shri, makes me extremely happy and emotional. I dedicate this Padma Shri to the entire Indian population, including those who are musicians and those who hope to become so. When my mother learnt about this honour, her eyes welled up with tears. I also dedicate this award to my Gurus: Bharat Ratna Ravi Shankar Ji, my Guru Pandit Vijay Raghav Rao, and my first Guru and father, Bhanu Majumdar Ji,” said Ronu Majumdar.

“I sincerely thank Shri Amitbhai Shah, the Honourable Home Minister, and Shri Narendra Modiji, the Honourable Prime Minister of India, for acknowledging my contributions to this field that I have dedicated myself to for the past 50 years. Given the Pahalgam incident, which has deeply saddened all of us, I chose not to celebrate the occasion with a fanfare. Bharat Mata Ki Jai!” added the musician.

His lifetime contributions to Indian classical music, especially in the area of the bansuri, or Indian flute, are acknowledged with this esteemed honour. On the eve of Republic Day, the Indian government named 11 Padma Shri recipients from Maharashtra, including Pandit Majumdar.

In addition to receiving the esteemed Padma Shri award, Pandit Ronu Majumdar expressed gratitude to his wife Anandi and sons Siddharth and Hrishikesh for their emotional support during his most trying times.

“This award has given me the strength to continue working harder. To advance in my musical endeavours, it feels like a tonic for my soul,” added Majumdar.

He led a symphony with 546 musicians, setting a Guinness World Record for the largest Hindustani Classical Band ever assembled to perform a single composition. The recognition comes after a historic accomplishment.

Renowned musician Pandit Ronu Majumdar is renowned for his proficiency on the bansuri and his commitment to upholding and advancing Indian classical music traditions. He has received many honours and recognitions over the years. Generations of music lovers around the world are still motivated by his compositions, performances, and collaborations.

Eminent maestros like Pt. Laxman Prasad Jaipurwale and Pt. Vijay Raghav Rao, as well as his father, Dr. Bhanu Majumdar, have influenced Pandit Ronu Majumdar’s path in Indian classical music. He is a student of the Maihar Gharana and is regarded as one of India’s best flute virtuosos. He has established himself as a major figure in Indian and international music thanks to his inventive work that combines traditional and modern styles.

Pandit Majumdar has received numerous honours, including the Aditya Vikram Birla Award, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and the  Life-Time Achievement Award from Sahara India. Successful albums like A Traveler’s Tale, Koi Akela Kahan, Fasinoma, Ethereal Rhythms, and the soundtrack for the Hollywood movie Primary Colours are among his many works. He has also collaborated with international musicians like Ry Cooder and George Harrison.

Priyanka Dutta