The fourth highest citizen honor, the Padma Shri, was conferred to actor Raveena Tandon and music composer MM Keeravaani on Wednesday. They are best known for their work on the RRR song Naatu Naatu. President Draupadi Murmu presented it during a glittering event at New Delhi’s Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah both attended the prestigious event. Online images of Raveena accepting the prize while wearing a stunning golden saree have emerged. For the presentation occasion, MM Keeravaani dressed entirely in black.
Raveena posted a video from the felicitation ceremony which was also attended by daughter Rasha Thadani. She said, “Thankyou all for the love and honour. Thankyou for your blessings papa, mami and mom #padmashri.”
Earlier this year, the Indian Central Government revealed a total of 106 Padma Awards in various categories. The divisions included, among others, those related to the arts, social work, government, public affairs, science and engineering, business and industry, health care, literature and education, sports, and civil service.
Raveena had earlier expressed gratitude for getting the highest honour and had dedicated it to her late father, the late filmmaker Ravi Tandon. She’d stated, “Honoured and grateful. Thank you so much, Government of India, for acknowledging my contributions, my life, my passion and purpose — cinema and the arts, that allowed me to contribute, not only to the film industry, but beyond. I thank all those who guided me through this journey of Art and Craft of Cinema — all those who held my hand through it, and all those who watched me from their place above. I owe this to my father.”
While Keeravani tweeted, “Much honoured by the civilian award from the Govt of India Respect for my parents and all of my mentors from Kavitapu Seethanna garu to Kuppala Bulliswamy Naidu garu on this occasion.”
