Bouquet of Padmas for BHU prof, music teachers, ETEducation
Varanasi: Three distinguished persons associated with Banaras Hindu University—Prof N Rajam, Prof Shyam Sundar and Prof Mangla Kapoor—brought laurels to the holy city as their names were announced for Padma Award in 2026 on the eve of Republic Day.
Violinist N Rajam, exponent of Hindustani classical music, was professor of music at BHU and became head of the department, and dean of faculty of performing arts. Rajam received Padma Shri in 1984 and Padma Bhushan in 2004. She also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, the highest honour in performing arts conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama. She has now received Padma Vibhushan.
Born in Chennai in 1938, N Rajam’s father, Vidwan A Narayana Iyer, was exponent of Carnatic music. Her brother T N Krishnan was violinist of Carnatic style. Rajam started training in Carnatic music under her father and learnt raga development from vocalist Omkarnath Thakur.
Prof Shyam Sundar of medicine department of Institute of Medical Sciences at BHU has been awarded Padma Shri for significant contributions to diagnosis and treatment of kala-azar. He was honoured with Visitor Award by President and Dr PN Raju Oration honour for developing effective techniques for kala-azar.
He discovered the method of treating kala-azar with a single dose of liposomal amphotericin B and was also involved in research on its vaccine. Prof Shyam Sundar did commendable work on lipid-related amphotericin B in treatment of Indian kala-azar. The single-dose liposomal amphotericin B developed by him is considered major success.
The single dose is recognised by World Health Organization and is used in programme to control the disease in India. He conducted the first successful trial of multi-drug therapy in kala-azar treatment, which was also approved by WHO.
He also developed miltefosine, first effective drug for kala-azar, used in India, Nepal and Bangladesh, and now worldwide. Prof Shyam Sundar was first to test RK-39 strip test. “I am extremely happy to receive Padma Shri,” he said. Former professor of BHU’s music department, Mangla Kapoor, an acid attack survivor, presented an inspiring example in society after retiring as a professor.
In 1965, she was attacked with acid and had to stay in hospital for six years, but she completed her education and became a professor in BHU. She is associated with Gwalior gharana and is a teacher of classical music. She was honoured as ‘Kashi ki Lata’ by Tarang institution in 1982 and received ‘Role Model’ award by Rajya Sabha. Kapoor provides free music education, through which she is trying to bring positive change in society. Marathi film ‘Mangla’, is based on her life.
Expressing his happiness, BHU VC Prof Ajik Kumar Chaturvedi said, “It is a moment of immense happiness and pride that three members of BHU family have been conferred the Padma Awards.”
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