National Honour for Dhrupad Legend: Krishna Mohan Pathak Wins Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
by Arun Pathak
Bokaro: Eminent Dhrupad vocalist Pandit Krishna Mohan Pathak has been selected for the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2025, one of India’s highest honours in the fields of music, dance and theatre. The award recognises his outstanding contribution to Hindustani classical music and his lifelong dedication to preserving and promoting the ancient Dhrupad tradition.
A senior exponent of the renowned Gaya Gharana, Pandit Pathak has spent more than four decades nurturing and popularising Dhrupad through his distinctive vocal style, profound alap and masterful rhythmic improvisations. His performances at leading music festivals in India and abroad have earned him acclaim among connoisseurs while helping introduce younger audiences to the classical art form.
The announcement has been welcomed by musicians and art lovers across the country. The honour is also a matter of pride for Bokaro and Jharkhand, where Pandit Pathak is widely respected as the elder brother of noted tabla maestro Pandit Ram Bachan Pathak (Bachchan Ji Maharaj).
Expressing gratitude, Pandit Pathak described the award as a tribute to his gurus, family and the rich legacy of Indian classical music. He reaffirmed his commitment to preserving Dhrupad and mentoring the next generation of artists. His son, Pandit Shailendra Kumar Pathak, is also a distinguished Dhrupad-Dhamar vocalist, carrying forward the family’s musical heritage.
