Art and Culture

'Feels like a tonic in my musical pursuits': Flute virtuoso Pandit Ronu Majumdar receives Padma Shri

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 06 Jun 2025, 01:21 am

New Delhi/IBNS: Renowned flute virtuoso Pandit Ronu Majumdar was conferred with the Padma Shri, the third-highest civilian award in India, by President Draupadi Murmu Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi at a Civil Investiture Ceremony recently.

Pandit Ronu Majumdar dedicated the award to the whole of India, his parents and Gurus.

"I am deeply emotional and happy to receive this prestigious award, Padma Shri, at this pivotal moment. I dedicate this Padma Shri to all of India, to all those in our country who practice music and those who aspire to do so. My parents, my mother, whose eyes were filled with tears when she heard of this honour.

"I wish to dedicate this to my mother’s feet. I also dedicate this award to my Gurus: Bharat Ratna Ravi ShankarJi, my Guru Pandit Vijay Raghav Rao, and my first Guru and father, Bhanu MajumdarJi," Ronu Majumdar said after receiving the award.

He further added, "I sincerely thank Shri Narendra Modiji, the Honourable Prime Minister of India, and Shri Amitbhai Shah, the Honourable Home Minister, for recognizing my contributions to this field that I have dedicated myself to for the past 50 years.

"I did not celebrate the moment with a fanfare in the backdrop of the incident in Pahalgam as it has deeply saddened all of us. Bharat Mata Ki Jai!"

This prestigious recognition comes as a testament to his lifelong contributions to Indian classical music, particularly in the field of bansuri, Indian flute.

Pandit Majumdar was among the 11 Padma Shri awardees from Maharashtra, announced by the Government of India on the eve of Republic Day.

In response to the prestigious Padma Shri award, Pandit Ronu Majumdar also thanked his wife Anandi and sons Siddharth and Hrishikesh for supporting him emotionally during the hardest moments in his life.

He further expressed, "This award has given me the strength to continue working harder. It feels like a tonic for my soul to push further in my musical pursuits."

The recognition follows a monumental achievement where he led a symphony and featured 546 musicians that achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest Hindustani Classical Band ever assembled, performing a single composition.

Pandit Ronu Majumdar is a celebrated musician known for his mastery of the bansuri and his dedication to preserving and innovating within the traditions of Indian classical music. Over the years, he has earned numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to music. His compositions, performances, and collaborations continue to inspire generations of music lovers worldwide.

Pandit Ronu Majumdar’s journey in Indian classical music has been shaped by his esteemed mentors, including his father, Dr. Bhanu Majumdar, and legendary maestros like Pt. Laxman Prasad Jaipurwale and Pt. Vijay Raghav Rao.

A disciple of the Maihar Gharana, he has established himself as one of the foremost flute virtuosos in India. His innovative work spans traditional and modern music, earning him a prominent place in both Indian and global musical spheres.

Among his many accolades, Pandit Majumdar has received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Aditya Vikram Birla Award, and the Life-Time Achievement Award from Sahara India.

His extensive body of work includes successful albums such as A Traveller’s Tale, Koi Akela Kahan, Fasinoma, Ethereal Rhythms and the soundtrack for the Hollywood film Primary Colours, as well as collaborations with global artists like George Harrison and Ry Cooder.