Patna: Fifty-two artists have been recognised at the Bihar Art Award 2025, with six receiving national awards, in a ceremony organised by the state’s Department of Art, Culture and Youth at Hotel Maurya on Wednesday.
The awards, covering three years between 2022 and 2025, were presented by the deputy chief minister, Vijay Kumar Sinha, and art and culture minister, Motilal Prasad. Recipients were given certificates, mementos, traditional scarves and a total of Rs 27.7m in prize money.
Eighteen emerging artists were awarded Rs 25,000 each, 22 established artists received Rs 50,000, while six national awardees and six lifetime achievement awardees were each given Rs 1 lakh. Among those honoured were folk singer Kalpana Patwari, who also performed Bhikhari Thakur’s Beti Bechwa at the event, and Padma Shri recipients Dulari Devi and Baua Devi.
Sinha said the state would make the awards an annual feature to celebrate cultural expression across Bihar’s five regional languages – Angika, Maithili, Magahi, Bajjika and Bhojpuri – which he described as a “panchamrit of languages”. He also praised Bihar’s film policy, calling it the best in the country.
Prasad said the awards had been pending for three years but would now be organised regularly. “Artists keep the cultural heritage of society alive and inspire the youth through their art,” he said.
Department secretary Pranav Kumar likened artists to creators, saying: “An artist is considered equal to God. The state government will make every possible effort to encourage them.”
Awardees were selected across four categories: national award, lifetime achievement, established artist and emerging artist. The late Chitra Prasad, Padma Shri Dulari Devi and Padma Shri Nirmala Devi were among those recognised posthumously.
Ruby, director of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, closed the event by thanking artists, officials and guests, saying the ceremony “symbolises our shared spirit, dedication and commitment to culture”.
The gathering drew senior officials, scholars, students and art enthusiasts from across the state, underscoring the government’s commitment to promoting art and culture.
