Legendary Bengali folk singer and lyricist Shri Ratan Kahar has been conferred the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his immense contribution to the preservation and propagation of traditional village music from West Bengal.
Born in 1935 in Bhandirban Kenduli, Birbhum district, Kahar has been a prominent voice in Bengal’s folk music scene for over six decades. A self-taught artist, he composed and performed numerous songs based on rural themes, festivals, and the everyday lives of common people. His powerful yet humble lyrics often reflected the hopes, sorrows, and beauty of the Bengali countryside.
Kahar rose to national attention in 2020 when his song “Boroloker Biti Lo”, written decades earlier, was adapted into the Bollywood hit “Genda Phool”. The song’s reuse without his initial credit sparked widespread discussions on folk artists’ recognition and rights. Eventually, he received credit and financial support from the producers—drawing national focus to his life’s work and struggles.
Despite his fame, Kahar lived a simple life and never sought personal acclaim. His dedication remained with the music and the communities it served. Through Bhadu, Tusu, Jhumur, and other genres, he kept Bengal’s oral traditions alive in village fairs and folk festivals, earning the respect of generations of rural audiences.
On being selected for the Padma Shri, the 90-year-old singer said, “I am deeply honoured. I have always sung for the people. This recognition gives me great joy in the twilight of my life.”
Shri Ratan Kahar’s Padma Shri marks not just an individual achievement, but a broader celebration of India’s folk heritage and the grassroots artists who keep its spirit alive.
