The 96-year-old puppeteer Bhimavva Doddabalappa Shillekyathara received the Padma Shri award from President Droupadi Murmu for her contribution to the field of Art. The government announced the Padma Awards on the eve of the 76th Republic Day.
Bhimavva, draped in simplicity and tradition, approached the stage slowly and bowed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a rare and touching gesture, the Prime Minister respectfully bowed back. The hall fell silent, only to erupt in applause and a standing ovation as the veteran artist received her honour—an emotional moment symbolizing the nation’s gratitude for her lifelong dedication to preserving India’s folk heritage.
Shillekyathara has been a torchbearer for Togalu Gombeyaata (Leather) puppetry, the traditional shadow puppetry of Karnataka.
#WATCH | 96-year-old puppeteer Bhimavva Doddabalappa Shillekyathara receives Padma Shri award from President Droupadi Murmu for her contribution to the field of Art.
(Video Source: President of India/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/4PVvqSI9YL
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2025
Togalu Gombeyaata, meaning “a play of leather dolls” in Kannada, holds deep cultural roots in Karnataka and shares a historical kinship with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana’s Tholu Bommalata. Beyond entertainment, the art form is intertwined with communal traditions and fertility symbolism, representing a rich legacy of oral storytelling.
For nearly eight decades, Bhimavva Shillekyathara has captivated audiences with her remarkable mastery of Togalu Gombeyaata, Karnataka’s traditional shadow puppetry art form. Known for weaving mythology, music, and movement into soulful performances, she has kept the spirit of this ancient storytelling tradition alive despite limited resources and waning public attention.
Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities — art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
Renowned Vedic scholar Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid is also honoured with the Padma Shri award from President Droupadi Murmu. He decided the auspicious time for Bhoomi Pujan and Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple in Ayodhya and Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.
These Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions, which are held at Rashtrapati Bhavan usually around March or April every year. For the year 2025, the President has approved conferment of 139 Padma Awards including duo case (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one).
The list comprises 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards. 23of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI, and 13 Posthumous awardees.
