Kalpana Patowary
Renowned folk singer and cultural exponent Kalpana Patowary was honoured with the prestigious Pandit Rajkumar Shukla Kala Shikhar Samman-2026 on the 151st birth anniversary of Pandit Rajkumar Shukla, the courageous farmer, freedom fighter and a key figure of the historic Champaran Satyagraha.
The award was presented by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Samrat Choudhary, at a commemorative ceremony held at the Annexe Hall of the Bihar Legislative Council in Patna. The honour recognises Kalpana's contribution to preserving India's history and cultural heritage through folk music.
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.
You can also watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/m8e2HHd4HpY
