NEW DELHI, APRIL 28, 2025: The President of India confers Padma Bhushan to Nandamuri Balakrishna and Padma Shri to  Miriyala Apparao (Posthumous) and Dr. Madugula Nagaphani Sarma, from Andhra Pradesh, in the field of Art during Civil Investiture Ceremony in New Delhi on Monday.
Brief citations about the life and work of the awardees are given below : Nandamuri Balakrishna, Chairman & Managing Trustee, Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, is a popular cinema hero in the Telugu Film Industry. Born on 10th June, 1960, Balakrishna is the fifth son of Telugu doyen and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Late Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR). He started his film career at 14 in 1974 with the movie ‘Tatamma Kala’ (Great Grandmother’s Dream), in which he portrayed the character of a young teenage student who brings modern technology to his distraught village for the betterment of farmers.
Initially groomed by his father, Balakrishna in his cinema life as a top hero, enacted memorable roles like Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Arjuna, Abhimanyu, Narada, and characters with historical prominence like Sri Krishna Devaraya, Gautami Putra Sata Karni, Vemulawada Bheema Kavi, Siddayya and Saleem besides donning all types of characters found in the society in his social films. Like his father, he is unique in the Telugu Film Industry for acting in films of every genre: mythological, historical, folklore, social, socio fantasy, and biopic. He has achieved a remarkable milestone in his film career, placing himself among the few actors worldwide who have had careers spanning more than five decades (1974 – 2024). Shri Balakrishna apart from being a top hero is also widely recognized for his public services to the Cancer Hospital and Politics.
In 2010, he became the Chairman of Basavatarakam IndoAmerican Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Hyderabad and has demonstrated exceptional commitment by extending services to underserved low-income and poor people lacking access to costly cancer medical care. A three-time MLA from the Hindupur assembly constituency, Shri Balakrishna did commendable work spearheading infrastructure development, restoring the Lepakshi Temple, improving access to clean drinking water, and upgrading the government hospital in Hindupur town. He also provided steadfast support and aid during the COVID-19 crisis. Shri Balakrishna won the Best Actor award from the Andhra Pradesh Government three times, besides innumerable awards and felicitations from various prestigious forums. The popular news magazine, India Today, released a special edition in his honour in 2016 for his contribution to Telugu Film Industry.
Miriyala Apparao was a pioneering figure in the field of Burrakatha (traditional storytelling). Born on 9th September, 1949 in Nadakuduru Village, Kadapa Mandal, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, Shri Apparao began his journey in this art form at the age of 15 when he performed his first stage show at Jonnada Village in Ravulapalem Mandal. Over the span of 53 years, from 1968 to 2021, Shri Apparao performed thousands of shows, significantly contributing to the preservation and promotion of Burrakatha, a revered tradition in Andhra Pradesh.
His performances were not limited to Andhra Pradesh, as he took his art across borders, performing Burrakatha in countries like Singapore. He also participated in notable cultural events, including the Janapada Vibhaga Pradarshana at the Andhra Cultural University in New Delhi, where his artistry and influence were recognized on a national level. Shri Apparao’s contributions to Burrakatha extended to the world of broadcasting, where he showcased his talent on platforms like All India Radio and Doordarshan, earning B-grade and A Grade recognition, respectively. His artistry and passion for the form have not only preserved the tradition but have also inspired the younger generation to embrace Burrakatha. Over 200 individuals have had the privilege of learning directly from him, furthering the legacy of this traditional art form. His artistic journey has had a profound impact on society and his community. He has left behind a remarkable legacy that will continue to influence and inspire the art of Burrakatha storytelling for many years to come. Shri Apparao had been honoured with several prestigious titles and awards, including Gana Kokila, Gana Tumbura, Burrakatha Tiger, Ragala Apparao, the YSR Life Achievement Award in 2021, Suvarna Ganta Kankanam by the villagers of Nadakuduru in 1970, State-level 1st Prize in Burrakatha in 1975 from the Government’s competition. Shri Apparao passed away on 15th January, 2025.
Madugula Nagaphani Sarma is a renowned Sanskrit and Telugu poet par excellence who has revived, revolutionised and propagated the Bharatiya art of Avadhanam. He is widely recognised across the world for his innovations, melodious voice, divine poetry and songs which made this scholarly art of Avadhanam reach millions of people. Born on June 8, 1958, Dr. Sarma learnt Vedas from his father at a very tender age. He also pursued Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavatam and other scriptures. He completed Sahitya Shiromani from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi in 1981 and completed Proficiency in Oriental Learning from Andhra University, Waltair in 1982. He completed M.A. in Sanskrit from Andhra University. Further, he completed Doctorate (Ph.D) in Sanskrit from Rastriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Mysore in 1996. Dr. Sarma performed his first Avadhanam at the age of 14 years and was accredited as the youngest Avadhani in the country. In his illustrious career of over 52 years, he has performed over 2000 Avadhanams across the globe. His literary innovations in avadhanam include Mee Prashnaku Naa Pata- My song to your question, Nrityapadi- Metrical notation to the footwork of dance, Swarapadi- Extempore poetry to Sonic metre. He is the first and only Avadhani to perform Maha Sahasravadhanam with 1116 Scholars and then Dwi Sahasravadhanam with 2116 Scholars in Sanskrit and Telugu. His savadhanams had crossed Indian shores and drew audiences across the world in various countries such as U.S.A., Australia, Singapore, Bahrain, U.K., Germany, France, etc. He has authored over 40 books, 33000 Poems, authored and rendered over 3000 songs- stotras in his melodious voice, delivered over 11000 hours of discourses on Sanskrit and Telugu literature, Santana Dharma, thus promoting Vedic, spiritual and nationalistic ideals in society. Dr. Sarma established Avadhana Saraswathi Peetham, an ashram about 30 years ago, which is an abode to Goddess Saraswathi (Temple) and Goshala serving over 100 desi cows. He serves the society through the numerous Educational, Cultural, Spiritual and Welfare programs benefitting over one lakh students and general public from different sections of the society. He served as Additional Secretary, Dharma Prachara Parishad, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (1990-92). He also served as Chairman (Cabinet Rank), Official Language Commission (1999-2002), Government of Andhra Pradesh (undivided). He has greatly advanced the popularity of Avadhanam, Indian Languages and Culture in these roles. Dr. Sarma has been honoured with covetous honours from chief pontiffs of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Sringeri Sarada Peetham, Mysore Datta Peetham. He is the recipient of many awards like Ugadi Puraskaram by Government of Andhra Pradesh (1997), Kopparapu Kavula National Award by Kopparapu Kavula Kala Peetham(2016), Swastivachanam award by Sarwabhoma Sanskrit Samvardhana Samstha(2014), Sri Kala Poorna by SAPNA, U.S.A.(2002), Lifetime Achievement Award by World Telugu Federation(1992), American Telugu Association(2004), Telugu Association of North America(2005), Sivananda Eminent Citizen Award by Sanatana Dharma Charitable Trust(2017), Nanduri Ramakrishna Memorial Centenary Award (2022) etc. He has also been honoured with the titles- Avadhana Sahasraphani, Tarun Tapasvi, Human Computer, Intellectual Super Computer, Medha Ratna,etc. by eminent leaders in public life.
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