Page 25 - NIS English 01-15 March,2023

Women in Padma Samman Nation

USHA BARLE

PANDWANI ARTIST GETS HER DUE RECOGNITION

t has been decided to confer Padma Shri to Usha Barle, a resident
Iof Durg in Chhattisgarh. Barle had an affinity for Pandwani folk
songs since the age of seven. With increasing age, her attachment
to it increased even more. Her popularity soared in India and as well
as some countries of the world. Barle says that in the initial phase,
people used to say what kind of song and music she is engaged in,
but as time progressed and her inclination towards Pandwani music
kept increasing. With time, this folk music started being liked a lot by
people. She was called for presentation in different programmes. As
a result, she got recognition in her home state and a few other states.
At the behest of close acquaintances who are music lovers and
art-music connoisseurs, I applied for the country's civilian honour.
Although she was applying for this honour for the last 21 years, but
finally this year it was decided by the Central Government to give
Padma Samman to her. This award will be a source of inspiration to
those who strive to keep their culture alive despite living in oblivion.
She has been singing this form of folk music for more than 45 years.

HEMOPROVA CHUTIA

POPULARISING SPIRITUALITY WITH
HER WEAVING SKILLS

t has also been decided to award Padma Shri to Hemoprova
IChutia, a resident of Moran in the Dibrugarh district of Assam.
It is said that the women of Assam can weave their dreams on
WEAVED THE ENTIRE silk and have created many beautiful
BHAGAVAD GITA creations with their weaving skills.
Not to be left behind Chutia made
IN THE ENGLISH a variety of religious texts using
LANGUAGE ON A fabrics from cotton, silk, and finely
PIECE OF CLOTH 280 cut bamboo pieces. She weaved the
FEET LONG AND TWO entire Bhagavad Gita in the English
FEET WIDE language on a piece of cloth 280 feet
long and two feet wide. She has a
special ability to use beads to make beautiful designs in cotton
and silk Gamocha which is very different from the designs
used in this region.

New India Samachar March 1-15, 2023 23