Sangyusang S Pongener from Nagaland has been conferred with one of the country’s highest civilian honours, the Padma Shri Award 2026, in the field of Arts. He has been recognised for his exceptional achievements and innovative contributions to Ao Naga Folk Arts. The award was announced today.
Guru Pongener is among 131 Padma awardees selected from across India. Born in 1945, Guru Sangyusang Pongener, now 81, is an eminent Ao folk artist and composer from Ungma Village in Mokokchung district. He has dedicated his life to the preservation and promotion of Naga indigenous folk traditions.
131 chosen for honours on R-Day 2026 eve
The President of India has approved the conferment of 131 Padma awards for 2026, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri honours. The awards recognise exceptional service in fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science, medicine, literature, education and sports. The list features 19 women awardees, 16 posthumous honours and six recipients from the foreigners, NRI, PIO and OCI categories. The awards were announced on the eve of Republic Day and will be presented by the President at ceremonial functions at Rashtrapati Bhavan, usually held in March or April.
Veteran actor Dharmendra and former Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan are among the Padma Vibhushan awardees, with Achuthanandan receiving the honour posthumously. The other recipients in this category are KT Thomas for public affairs, classical violinist N Rajam for art, and P Narayanan for literature and education.
The Padma Bhushan awardees include former Uttarakhand chief minister and Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, advertising professional Piyush Pandey, industrialist Uday Kotak, actor Mammootty, singer Alka Yagnik and SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan.
Among the Padma Shri recipients are cricketers Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur, former UGC chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, hockey player Savita Punia, actor Prosenjit Chatterjee and the late actor Satish Shah.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the awardees, saying, “Congratulations to all the Padma Awardees for their outstanding contributions to our nation. Their excellence, dedication and service across diverse fields enrich the fabric of our society. The honour reflects the spirit of commitment and excellence that continues to inspire generations.”