Sonu Nigam, a recipient of the Padma Shri award, has publicly voiced his disappointment with the selection process for the prestigious Padma Awards, specifically criticizing the omission of several highly acclaimed singers like Kishore Kumar, Alka Yagnik and Shreya Ghosal among others.
His recent Instagram video directly challenges the 2025 Padma Awards jury, questioning their criteria and highlighting the glaring absence of legendary figures like Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar.
While the awards ceremony, held on Republic Day, saw 139 individuals honoured—including seven Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri recipients—Nigam argues that the selection process overlooks significant contributions from the Indian music industry.
The video’s central argument revolves around the perceived injustice towards iconic singers. Nigam points out the incongruity of posthumously awarding the Padma Vibhushan to Sharda Sinha while neglecting living legends. He specifically laments that Mohammed Rafi, a towering figure in Indian music, received only the Padma Shri, a lower award, and that Kishore Kumar, another titan, received no Padma award at all. This, he suggests, is a profound oversight considering their immeasurable impact on Indian and global music.
Nigam extends his critique to include contemporary singers, highlighting the significant careers of Alka Yagnik, Shreya Ghoshal, and Sunidhi Chauhan. He argues that these artists, each with a lengthy career marked by both critical and popular success, have earned national recognition through their immense talent and contribution to Indian music. Their omission, he suggests, casts doubt on the fairness and comprehensiveness of the selection process. He emphasizes their lasting influence, noting how they have inspired generations of singers.
The video concludes with an appeal to his followers, urging them to identify other deserving artists who have yet to receive Padma awards. The accompanying caption reads, “India and its pending Padma Awardees,” a statement reflecting a widespread sentiment among many who feel the awards don’t always reflect the true breadth of talent in India. The response to Nigam’s post has been significant, with comments echoing his sentiments. Shraddha Pandit, for instance, commented “Gospel truth spoken,” indicating a shared feeling of disappointment and injustice.
Nigam’s own experience adds weight to his argument. Despite receiving the Padma Shri in 2022, he expressed dissatisfaction at the time, feeling the award was bestowed too late in his illustrious career. This personal experience underscores his critique, lending authenticity to his concerns about the timing and selection process of the Padma Awards.
His vast repertoire—over 10,000 songs in various Indian languages—further emphasizes his own position as a significant contributor to Indian music and his understanding of the landscape. The controversy ignited by Nigam’s video serves as a reminder of the ongoing debate surrounding the Padma Awards and the ongoing search for a more comprehensive and equitable system of recognizing national contributions.