Akashvani Launches Swar Prerna Veethika to Celebrate 90 Years of India's Musical Heritage

As Akashvani marks 90 years of public service broadcasting, it prepares for the centenary of radio broadcasting in India in 2027 and it has launched Swar Prerna Veethika. It is a permanent photo gallery that is dedicated to India’s legendary musicians. It was inaugurated by Padma Vibhushan Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia at the Akashvani Rang Bhavan Auditorium in New Delhi and this initiative celebrates the Akashvani’s long-standing contribution to preserving and promoting the Indian music.

What Is Swar Prerna Veethika?

Swar Prerna Veethika is a specially curated photo gallery established by Akashvani to honour the country’s most celebrated musicians who have played a significant role in enriching the country’s musical heritage through the public broadcasting.

The gallery can be seen as a tribute to artists who have maintained a close association with the Akashvani and received some of India’s highest civilian honours. By preserving their legacy, this initiative aims to inspire the aspiring musicians, music enthusiasts, researchers, and future generations.

This launch is one of the flagship events of Akashvani’s year-long celebrations and marking its 90th anniversary and serves as the precursor to the centenary of radio broadcasting in India in the year 2027.

Inauguration by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia

The gallery was inaugurated by Padma Vibhushan Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, who is one of the India’s greatest bansuri maestros at the Akashvani Rang Bhavan Auditorium in New Delhi.

While speaking during the inauguration, Pt. Chaurasia described the event as a “homecoming.” He fondly recalled the beginning of his musical journey through Akashvani’s Children’s Programme, highlighting the institution’s role in nurturing countless artists over several decades.

He also praised Akashvani for functioning like a family for musicians and expressed confidence that the broadcaster would continue preserving the India’s cultural traditions while receiving the affection of listeners nationwide.

Twenty Legendary Music Icons Honoured in the First Phase

In the first phase of the Swar Prerna Veethika features portraits of 20 eminent musicians who represent India’s rich and diverse musical traditions.

Bharat Ratna Awardees

The gallery honours total six Bharat Ratna recipients,

1. M.S. Subbulakshmi – Carnatic Vocal
2. Ravi Shankar – Sitar
3. Lata Mangeshkar – Playback Singing
4. Bismillah Khan – Shehnai
5. Bhimsen Joshi – Hindustani Classical Vocal
6. Bhupen Hazarika – Folk Music

These artists have transformed Indian music and carried its legacy across the world through their extraordinary contributions.

Padma Vibhushan Awardees

The gallery also features the renowned Padma Vibhushan recipients such as,

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia – Bansuri
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan – Sarod
Ustad Allauddin Khan – Sarod

Their work has significantly influenced the Indian classical music and inspired generations of performers.

Other Eminent Padma Awardees

Also there are several distinguished Padma Bhushan awardees and legendary performers are also honoured and it including,

Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan
Pandit Birju Maharaj
Ustad Ahmed Jan Thirakwa
Pandit Krishnarao Shankar Pandit
Vidushi Shanno Khurana
Pandit Debu Chaudhuri
Vidushi Sharan Rani Backliwal
Ustad Sabri Khan
Pandit Rajan Mishra
Pandit Sajan Mishra
Ustad Asad Ali Khan
Ustad Mushtaq Husain Khan

These artists represents the various traditions including Hindustani classical music, Carnatic music, Kathak, tabla, sarangi, rudra veena, sarod, sitar, and vocal music.

Significance of Akashvani’s Contribution to Indian Music

For nearly nine decades, Akashvani has served as India’s foremost public service broadcaster and it is one of the country’s strongest cultural institutions.

Long before the digital streaming became popular, Akashvani introduced the millions of listeners to classical, folk, devotional, and regional music.

It also offered the emerging musicians a prestigious platform while preserving the priceless recordings of legendary performances.

Many iconic artists began or strengthened their careers through the Akashvani broadcasts and making the institution an integral part of India’s cultural history.