Amjad Ali Khan, Asha Bhosle, Anupam Kher to receive Deenanath awards

MUMBAI: Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, legendary singer Asha Bhosle and veteran actor Anupam Kher will be the recipients of the prestigious Deenanth Mangeshkar awards. The awards, instituted by Master Deenannath Mangeshkar Smriti Pratisthan, felicitate legends from the fields of music, drama, art and social work. The award distribution function will be held in Mumbai on April 24, which will be presided over by Union minister Nitin Gadkari. While Khan will receive the Master Deenanth Mangeshkar award, the lifetime achievement award will go to Bhosle. Kher will Be honoured with a special award for his contribution to the Indian theatre and cinema. “We have chosen Asha ji not because she is our sister but an accomplished singer herself. She has done stellar work and we are recognising that through this award,” singer Usha Mangeshkar told reporters on Monday. Deenanath Mangeshkar was a well-known Marathi theatre actor, a renowned Natya Sangeet musician and a Hindustani classical vocalist, of the 20th century. He was the father of noted singers Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Meena Khadikar, Usha Mangeshkar, and composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar. The Mangeshkar family has been celebrating Deenanth Mangeshkar’s anniversary since the last 75 years. This will be the 76th anniversary celebrations. Khan, the sarod virtuoso, is an internationally acclaimed artist while Kher is a veteran actor and a theatre personality. Among other awardees, Shekhar Sen is selected for his contribution to theatre and Dhananjay Datar for social entrepreneurship.