Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia Among 10 to Receive Prestigious MMCF State-Level Awards

Udaipur, Feb 4, 2026 - Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) has announced the State-Level Awards for 2026. The 42nd Annual Investiture Ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 4:30 pm in the historic Manak Chowk of City Palace Udaipur, in the presence of the MMCF Chairman and Managing Trustee, Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, as per the information shared by event coordinator Dr Mayank Gupta.

In alignment with its founding vision, the foundation has honoured 4,972 distinguished personalities and meritorious students from India and abroad through 41 previous annual ceremonies. These awards recognise individuals who have demonstrated excellence, innovation and ethical commitment in their respective fields, contributing enduring value to society and humanity.

Dagar Gharana Award

The award in music will be presented to Padma Vibhushan recipient and legendary flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia for his extraordinary contribution to Hindustani classical music. He is one of the greatest Hindustani classical flautists, globally acclaimed for his lifelong dedication to Indian classical music. He is also a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship and France’s “Order of Arts and Letters.

Maharana Mewar Award

This year, the award for sustained contributions to social, educational, ethical and economic upliftment will be conferred upon India’s first transgender woman Sub-Inspector of Police, K Prithika Yashini and senior journalist Bhuvanesh Jain.

Following a landmark judgment by the Madras High Court on November 6, 2015, Yashini’s appointment became possible. She currently serves in Chennai.

Bhuvanesh Jain, Director and Associate Editor of Rajasthan Patrika Group, has over 43 years of experience in journalism and has played a key editorial leadership role for more than two decades.

Maharana Kumbha Award

Renowned Hindi and Rajasthani litterateur Tarun Kumar Dadhich will receive this honour. His critical work Sur Ke Sanskar is included in the MA Hindi curriculum at Mohanlal Sukhadia University.

Maharana Sajjan Singh Award

Internationally acclaimed sand artist Ajay Rawat will be honoured in the field of Fine Arts. He is the founder of National Sand Art Park in Pushkar and organiser of Rajasthan’s first Sand Art Festival.

Rana Punja Award

Mandana artist Dimple Chandat will be honoured for her dedication to preserving and documenting tribal Mandana art traditions.

Aravali Award

The Aravali Award, presented to outstanding sportspersons, will be conferred upon Ram Ratan Jat and Avani Lekhara.

Jat, a Chief Petty Officer in the Indian Navy, is a world-renowned ultra-marathon runner. He completed the 135-mile “World’s Toughest Footrace” in California and set a Guinness World Record by running 4,280.1 km from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in 52 days.

Lekhara created history at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 by winning a gold and bronze medal, becoming the first Indian woman to win two medals at a single Paralympics.

Maharshi Harit Rashi Award

Vedic scholar Devvrat Mahesh Rekhe will be honoured for his distinguished contribution to astrology, Vedic science, and ritual traditions. At the age of 19, he completed the rare Dandkram Vikritipath recitation of the Shukla Yajurveda (Madhyandin branch) entirely from memory over 50 days in Varanasi. He is regarded as the second scholar in the world in nearly 200 years to complete the full Dandkram recitation.

Special State-Level Recognition

Coordinator Dr Gupta informed that this year the State-Level “Special Recognition” of MMCF will be conferred upon Rajesh Vaishnav of Udaipur for his dedicated efforts in preserving Mewar’s 500-year-old sacred Jal Sanjhi tradition. Vaishnav is an 18th-generation practitioner of the Vaishnav tradition and has introduced this sacred art form to a wider global audience through presentations at Vaishnav temples in Udaipur as well as at the revered Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara.

Each awardee will receive Rs 51,001, a ceremonial toran, shawl and citation from Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar during the ceremony.

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