New Delhi: Actor Raveena Tandon and Oscar-winner musician MM Keeravani were felicitated with India's fourth highest civilian award, Padma Shri, by President Sraupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were also present at the ceremony.  


Expressing her gratitude, Tandon said, " Honoured and grateful. Thank you so much, Government of Inida, for acknowledging my contributions,my life, my passion and purpose--cinema and the arts, that allowed me to contribute, not only to the film industry, but beyond. I thank all those who guided me through this journey of Art and Craft of Cinema--all those who hel my hand through it, and all those who watched me from their place above. I owe this to my father."


Raveena shared a video from the event, which was also attended by her daughter Rasha Thadani. She captioned the video, “Thankyou all for the love and honour. Thankyou for your blessings papa, mami and mom #padmashri.”


 






On the other hand, MM Keeravani tweeted, “Much honoured by the civilian award from the Govt of India Respect for my parents and all of my mentors from Kavitapu Seethanna garu to Kuppala Bulliswamy Naidu garu on this occasion.”


Earlier in January, the central government of India announced a total of 106 Padma Awards across categories. The categories included art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service, among others.


Raveena Tandon made her debut in 1991 and went on to work in many commercially successful dramas. She is a recipient of a National Film Award and three Filmfare Awards. In 2000s, Tandon ventured into arthouse cinema and won critical acclaim for films like 'Daman' and 'Aks'. She has also been a part of TV shows. Tandon is also an environmentalist. She was most recently seen in 'KGF: Chapter 2' and 'Aryanak'.


Meanwhile, MM Keeravani predominately works in Telugu cinema. He is a music composer, record producer, singer, and lyricist. His accolades include an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a LAFCA Award, a Critics' Choice Movie Award, a National Film Award, eight Filmfare Awards and eleven Nandi Awards