Ranchi/Bokaro: Acclaimed Dhrupad-Dhamar vocalist Shailendra Kumar Pathak has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Jharkhand Ratna’ Award 2026 for his outstanding contribution to Indian classical music and the preservation of the ancient Dhrupad tradition.
The award was presented during the 35th Annual Celebration of the Lok Seva Samiti held in Ranchi on May 23.
The honour was conferred by chief guest Bandhu Tirkey, who lauded Pathak’s dedication towards promoting the rich heritage of Dhrupad-Dhamar music and carrying forward the legacy of Indian classical traditions.
Born into a distinguished musical family, Pathak is the son of veteran musician Pt. Krishna Mohan Pathak and nephew of renowned tabla maestro Pt. Ram Vachan Pathak. Over the years, he has earned recognition for his soulful renditions and commitment to preserving one of India’s oldest classical vocal forms.
The event was attended by several prominent personalities, including Mohammad Naushad Khan and senior journalist Chanchal Bhattacharya, who served as the convener of the award selection committee.
