Three of the Padmashree award winners, announced on the eve of Republic Day, are above 100 – Odisha’s Krishna Leela singer Gopinath Swain, 105; Charlotte Chopin, 100, a yoga exponent from France; And Kerala’s 102-year-old educationist Pakaravu Chitran Namboodiripad was honored posthumously.

Read this also 34 unsung heroes of India honored with Padma Award. Who are they? here is the list

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated all the Padma award winners and said India values ​​their contribution in various fields. In a post on Twitter, Modi said, “Congratulations to all those who have been honored with Padma awards. India values ​​his contribution in various fields. Hope he continues to inspire people with his extraordinary work.”

The government on Tuesday announced that Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award, will be given to late Karpoori Thakur, two-time chief minister of Bihar.

Meet three Padmashree awardees from the 100+ Club

• Gopinath Swain (Art: Vocal – Bhajan Oriya): The 105-year-old has been awarded Padma Shri for performing Krishna Leela for more than nine decades. Coming from a family of Krishna Leela artistes from Ganjam, he started his musical journey at the young age of 5 and dedicated his life to preserving and promoting the tradition. According to Sarkar: “His commitment to traditional techniques and improvised methods breathed life into life.” Krishna Leela builds a bridge between the past and the present.” He sang and taught five ancient ragas – Dakhinashri, Chinta Desakhya, Todi Bhatiyari, Bhatiyari and Kumbha Kamodi. Swain established Akharas (traditional rural schools) and imparted his knowledge to hundreds of disciples. Despite his old age, he is teaching and propagating this unique art, discovering talents from all over southern Odisha.
• Charlotte Chopin (other: yoga): A 100-year-old yoga exponent from France has been awarded the Padma Shri for violating the age limit norms for learning yoga after the age of 50.
• Pakravur Chitran Namboodiripad (Literature and Education): The 102-year-old educationist and administrator from Thrissur has been posthumously awarded the Padma Shri for promoting education and the arts for seven decades.