Renowned Nagpuri folk singer and composer Shri Mahabir Nayak has been conferred the Padma Shri 2025 in the field of Art, recognizing his tireless efforts in preserving and promoting Jharkhand’s rich folk traditions over the past six decades.

A native of Uruguttu village near Ranchi, Shri Mahabir Nayak hails from the Ghasi community, traditionally associated with music. Under the guidance of his father, Khuddu Nayak, he began performing and composing folk songs as a teenager.

He is credited with writing over 500 original Nagpuri songs, collecting and documenting over 1,000 traditional tunes, and composing more than 100 poems and stories focused on the everyday lives and emotions of the tribal and rural communities of Jharkhand.

In 1985, Shri Nayak co-founded Kunjban, a cultural group dedicated to training young folk artists and preserving traditional music. His performances of ragas such as Bhinsariya, Faguwa, and Mardani Jhumar earned him the title “Bhinsariya kar Raja” (King of Bhinsariya Raga).

He has performed in over 1,000 stage shows across India and abroad, including a notable cultural exchange in Taipei in 1992. In 2022, he was also honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Award for senior artists.

Shri Mahabir Nayak is the sole Padma Shri awardee from Jharkhand in 2025. Upon receiving the award, he humbly said:

“This honour is not just mine. It belongs to the entire folk tradition of Jharkhand and every artist who works in silence to keep it alive.”

He was welcomed at Ranchi airport by a crowd of over 150 supporters and fellow artists, including previous Padma awardees, with live Nagpuri music and dance.

• Cultural Preservation: His work ensures ancient tribal melodies and stories are passed to future generations.
• Community Upliftment: Through Kunjban, he has mentored hundreds of young artists.
• National Representation: He brought Jharkhand’s folk traditions to the national stage and beyond.

Shri Mahabir Nayak’s Padma Shri marks a historic recognition of Jharkhand’s indigenous art forms and stands as an inspiration for grassroots cultural practitioners across India.