Singers Mithoon And Pratibha Singh Baghel Honoured With Naushad Samman In Lucknow

Last Updated:February 26, 2025, 07:18 IST

Mithoon and Pratibha Singh Baghel received the Naushad Samman in Lucknow for their contributions to Indian music. Mithoon performed a poem, while Pratibha sang classics, adding nostalgia to the event.

Renowned music composer-singer Mithoon and acclaimed vocalist Pratibha Singh Baghel were honoured with the prestigious Naushad Samman in a grand ceremony held in Lucknow. The award, named after legendary composer Naushad Ali, recognises exceptional contributions to Indian music. Mithoon, known for his soulful compositions, and Pratibha, celebrated for her mastery in ghazals and playback singing, were felicitated for their artistic excellence and dedication to preserving India’s rich musical heritage.

Mithoon and Pratibha Singh Baghel were handed the Naushad Samman on Friday in Lucknow. The award was presented at two special ceremonies in the city.

Mithoon, known for his work in Aashiqui 2 (2013) and Gadar 2 (2023), received the Naushad Samman from Lt Gen Surendra Singh, Chief of the Army Medical Corps Centre, and Maj Gen Salil Seth, GOC of Madhya Uttar Pradesh Sub Area (MUPSA), at the Puneet Dutt Auditorium, 11 GRC. Meanwhile, Pratibha Singh Baghel was presented the award by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak at a city hotel.

Singers Sakshi Taneja and Aditi Roy were honored with the Shaan-e-Awadh award. The evening’s highlight was a soulful musical performance that captivated the audience. The event was hosted by Hunar Creation Craft Association, with convenor Zafar Nabi and president Farida Yasmin extending a warm welcome to the chief guest. Notable attendees included UP Sangeet Natak Academy President Jayant Khot, Director Shobhit Nahar, and several other distinguished guests.

Mithoon performed a poem, Asman Mein Kitne Parinde, that he had penned for the film Hotel Mumbai in 2019. He dedicated it to the Army personnel. “This is very special as it’s in the memory of legendary Naushad Saheb and I urge everyone to listen to his music and his enormous body of work. Eighteen years back I composed Aankhen Teri for the movie Anwar (2003) where the soul of it was Lucknow, so I did a lot of research on its culture and language. Also, my grandfather, Pandit Ram Prasad Sharma, was born in Gorakhpur so this is my janmabhoomi while Mumbai is my karmabhoomi. And, it’s a pride to get an award on the Army campus.”

Meanwhile, Pratibha Singh Baghel captivated the audience with her soulful renditions of “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon” and timeless ghazals like “Tumko Dekha To Yeh Khayaal Aaya” (Saath Saath, 1982) and “Dil Cheez Kya Hai” (Umrao Jaan, 1981). Her mesmerizing performance added a touch of nostalgia and elegance to the evening.