Bhojpuri Folk Maestro Bharat Singh Bharti Honored with Padma Shri

• Bharat Singh Bharti, a veteran Bhojpuri folk singer and social worker from Bhojpur, received the Padma Shri award, recognizing his lifelong dedication to folk music and culture.
• Born in Nonaura village in 1935, Bharti began singing at age 10 and received formal training from Pakhawaj guru Shatrunjay Prasad Singh alias Lalan Ji at 15.
• Known as 'Guruji', he revived endangered Bhojpuri folk forms like Pawariya, Lori, and Bidesia, performing across villages and through All India Radio and Doordarshan since 1962.
• He promoted Bhojpuri culture internationally, performing in Mauritius, Delhi, and other regions, and launched his album 'Purbiya Taan' with the President in Mauritius.
• Bharti established Nonaura Gharana and Bharti Sangeet Kala Mandir, providing free folk music education to over 10,000 students, and his biography is part of Bihar's Class 9 Hindi curriculum.

Why It Matters: Bharat Singh Bharti's Padma Shri honors his immense contribution to preserving and promoting Bhojpuri folk culture globally.