Udupi: Celebrated ‘Ganjifa’ painter Raghupathi Bhat received the prestigious National ‘Kalidas Samman’ for his contributions to art at the 66th annual Kalidas Festival held in Ujjain by the Kalidas Sanskrit Academy on November 12, 2024.

Raghupathi Bhat was unanimously selected for the award in recognition of his outstanding work in the visual arts.

The award ceremony was graced by Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar, who attended as the chief guest, with Governor of Madhya Pradesh Mangubhai Patel presiding over the event. Also in attendance were Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi (Culture, Tourism, Religious Trusts), and Minister Gautam Tetwal (Employment Department).

The Kalidas Samman, an award named after the legendary Sanskrit poet Kalidas, is a significant recognition in the fields of art, music, dance, and theatre, and reflects the importance of preserving India’s cultural heritage.