Renowned folk artist and cultural guardian Shri Naren Gurung has been awarded the Padma Shri 2025 for his remarkable contributions to the field of Art, particularly in preserving and promoting Nepali folk music and traditional dance in Sikkim and beyond.
Shri Gurung has spent over six decades as a singer, choreographer, musician, dramatist, and cultural educator. Through his work, he has helped preserve the diverse oral and musical traditions of the Nepali, Bhutia, and Lepcha communities in the region.
He has performed across India and internationally — including in the USA, UK, and Kenya — bringing Sikkimese folk traditions to a global audience. His leadership of the Song and Drama Division of Sikkim since 1979 made him a central figure in state-sponsored cultural programming.
Shri Gurung has composed over 30 bhajans, authored books on Nepali folk music, and mentored dozens of young artists, ensuring the transmission of traditional forms to new generations. His contributions were also regularly featured on All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan, amplifying his impact.
Prior to the Padma Shri, Shri Gurung had received several major awards, including:
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2004)
- Sikkim State Award (2008)
- Sikkim Sewa Samman (2022)
His Padma Shri adds national recognition to a life already celebrated locally for selfless service to cultural preservation.
- Cultural Legacy: Revived and preserved endangered folk traditions in Sikkim.
- Education: Created platforms and institutions for artistic learning.
- National Pride: Elevated the status of Sikkimese folk art on the national and international stage.
Shri Naren Gurung’s Padma Shri is not just a personal honour — it is a tribute to the folk heritage of Sikkim and to the power of art as identity. His life’s work ensures that the melodies of the hills continue to echo for generations to come.
