Renowned singer Nandini Rao Gujar has been awarded the prestigious ‘Ustad Bismillah Khan Youth Award’ for the year 2022-23 by Sangeet Natak Akademi. Appreciating his remarkable contribution to the music genre, the award was given at a program organized at Dr Ambedkar International Center in New Delhi. Arunish Chawla, secretary of the Ministry of Culture, presented the award with certificate and 25,000 cash.
Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Uma Nanduri, President of Sangeet Natak Akademi Dr. Sandhya Purecha, Vice President Zoravarsinh Jadhav, Secretary Raju Das and others were present in the program.
The ‘Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar’, established in 2006, is awarded annually by the Sangeet Natak Akademi under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. This award honors the contribution of young artists who have contributed in the fields of music, dance, drama and traditional arts.
Speaking about the recognition, Nandini Rao Gujar expressed her gratitude and said, “It is an incredible honor and encouragement for me to receive the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Award. Despite being far away from South India, this recognition validates my efforts in the field of Carnatic music. This award helps me to continue the journey of classical music. inspired the day.”
A musical journey based on passion and dedication
Born in Hassan, Karnataka, Nandini Rao Gujar began her musical journey at the age of two and a half. “I had an uncanny ability to pick up tunes and repeat them at the correct pitch, listening to what I heard on the radio or TV,” she recalls. Despite coming from a non-musical family, her parents recognized her talent early and formalized her training in Carnatic music when she was seven.
Nandini received her initial training from Prasanna Venkatesh, BR Sridhar and Ranjani Gayatri and is currently guided by Vidushi Professor Nagamani Srinath. Reflecting on the influence of her mentors, she said, “Each one has contributed to my development in a unique way. Beyond my mentors, I find inspiration in everyone who listens—whether they are senior artists or my peers. Learning from my own mistakes also plays an important role in refining my style over time.” has played
Nandini acknowledges the challenges of pursuing a classical music career as a young performer from a non-musical background. “The absence of social media in my early years made it difficult to gain visibility. However, it allowed me to immerse myself in traditional classical music while fully focusing on my riyaaz,” she said.
She credits her hard work and dedication for overcoming these challenges. “I believe that when you don’t look for shortcuts and stay committed to your craft, hard work becomes your strongest ally,” he added.
Blending tradition with innovation
Nandini’s musical repertoire extends beyond Carnatic music to include Hindustani, Sugam music, folk and devotional music. She performs devotional music in more than 12 Indian languages, trying to preserve its cultural essence and make it more relevant to modern audiences. “My concerts aim to provide a pan-Indian devotional experience with music in Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and more,” he shared.
Now she is working on a project named Bhakti colors of IndiaBlending traditional Indian ragas with devotional themes from various Indian languages. She is also collaborating with artists to fuse Indian classical and contemporary music.
As a daughter, wife, mother and artist, Nandini emphasizes the importance of balance. “I make sure that I make time for my family and personal well-being without compromising my musical commitments. Music itself is therapeutic for me, and my practice sessions are moments of introspection,” she said.
Looking to the future, she hopes to be remembered as an artist who stayed true to Indian classical music while making it accessible to a new generation. “My legacy, I hope, will be devotion, innovation and contribution to the preservation of this timeless art,” she said.
Nandini encouraged the audience to embrace music as a source of joy and cultural connection. “Classical music and devotional music are not just art; they are a way of experiencing the divine and understanding our roots. Together, we can ensure this beautiful tradition flourishes,” she said.
Recognized by the Ustad Bismillah Khan Youth Award, Nandini Rao Gujar continues to inspire with her dedication, artistry and passion for Indian classical and devotional music.