Kalpana Patowary Honoured with Pandit Rajkumar Shukla Kala Shikhar Samman–2026

She received the award for her musical travelogue “Champaran Satyagraha,” which narrates the story of Champaran’s farmers, the struggle against the oppressive indigo cultivation system, Pandit Rajkumar Shukla’s determination, and Mahatma Gandhi’s historic arrival in Champaran. The presentation features the powerful song “Tinkathiya Neel Kheti,” written by Amitabh Verma and released in 2017.

Speaking about the honour, Kalpana Patowary said, “I feel deeply honoured to receive this recognition in the name of Pandit Rajkumar Shukla, whose courage brought the voice of Champaran’s farmers to Mahatma Gandhi and shaped a defining moment in India’s freedom movement.”

“As a Bhojpuri artiste, I feel it is my responsibility to sing the pride, history and cultural richness of Bihar. Bihar has

given India an extraordinary legacy of knowledge, courage and art. Through my music, my humble effort has been to reclaim and celebrate the lost glory of Bihar and present its stories with dignity before the world,” she added.

For Kalpana, folk music is a living archive that carries the memories, struggles and identity of communities. Her artistic journey has focused on bringing India’s diverse folk traditions to contemporary audiences while preserving their authenticity.

Another significant Gandhi-inspired work by Kalpana is “Gram Swaraj – Aao Sare Charkha Chalao,” part of the 3D Musical Gandhi Yatra at Dandi Kutir, Gandhinagar. The project was conceived by the Government of Gujarat and the song was composed by Dhruv Ghanekar with lyrics by Swanand Kirkire.

The Pandit Rajkumar Shukla Kala Shikhar Samman–2026 adds another milestone to Kalpana Patowary’s journey as a cultural ambassador of India’s folk heritage. Through her voice, research and artistic vision, she continues to preserve the stories of the past and carry India’s rich musical traditions to new generations.

“I accept this honour with immense gratitude and humility. It strengthens my commitment to keep our traditions, stories and voices alive for future generations,” Kalpana said.

To watch the full video, please click: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OnNOzGfloo

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