Andhra University scholar receives ‘Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar’
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presents the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2025 in the category ‘Music for Dance’ to Andhra University research scholar Pavani Pasumarthi at a ceremony in New Delhi on October 19, 2026.
Pavani Pasumarthi, a PhD scholar in Carnatic music at the Andhra University (AU), received the ‘Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar’ for 2025 in the category ‘Music for Dance’ from the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
She received the award from Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at a ceremony held at the Rabindra Bhavan in New Delhi on October 19, 2026.
Akademi chairperson Sandhya Purecha presided over the event.
Ms. Pasumarthi’s research focused on the importance of Carnatic music in Kuchipudi dance. She has composed music for 30 Kuchipudi ballets and 150 solo pieces.
Recently, AU Vice-Chancellor G.P. Raja Sekhar congratulated her and wished her further success.
Ms. Pasumarthi hails from a traditional Kuchipudi family. She dedicated the award to her gurus, including her father, Pasumarthi Srinivasulu; grandfather Pasumarthi Venu Gopala Krishna Sarma, an Akademi awardee in 1987; and B.V. Durga Bhavani, a top-grade violinist with the All India Radio, Vijayawada.
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