Artist

From Dharmendra to Piyush Pandey: Public icons India lost in 2025

A look back at the artists, leaders and creative minds India lost in 2025, and how their body of work transformed cinema, music, politics, journalism and advertising for generations

Veteran actor Kamini Kaushal, star from Laal Singh Chaddha, dies aged 98

Actor Kamini Kaushal, one of Hindi cinema's earliest female stars who began her career with the classic "Neecha Nagar" in 1946 and went on to act in a host of films right till 2022, has died in her Mumbai home, a close family friend said. She was 98. Amongst the industry's highest paid actress in the late 1940s and early 1950s, Kaushal starred opposite the triumvirate of Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor before moving on to character roles in the 1960s. Her last screen appearance was in Aamir Khan's 2022 film "Laal Singh Chaddha" at the age of 95, making for a remarkable 76 year in the movies. "She died at her Mumbai home late on Thursday night. She would have turned 99 in February," Sajan Narain, a close friend of the family, told PTI. Kaushal was born Uma Kashyap on February 24, 1927 in Lahore. Her father, Shiv Ram Kashyap, was widely regarded as the father of Indian botany and taught as a professor at the University of Punjab in pre-partition Lahore. The youngest of two ...

Art enriches cultural heritage, fosters sensitivity in society: Prez Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday honoured 20 artists with the Lalit Kala Akademi National Awards, and said that art is a powerful means of enriching cultural heritage and making the society more sensitive. The award ceremony also marked the culmination of the 64th National Exhibition of Art at the academy, featuring 283 art works from across the country in disciplines ranging from painting, sculpture, photography, and installation. "In Indian tradition, art has been considered a form of spiritual practice. Artists are accorded a special place of respect in our society. Your art is not only a medium of aesthetic expression but also a powerful means of enriching our cultural heritage and making society more sensitive," Murmu said. She added that through the diverse mediums displayed in the exhibition, it is evident that Indian art is constantly evolving and presenting new dimensions. "Our artists, through their thoughts, vision, and creativity, are presenting the image of a new

FIR filed against Folk Singer Neha Singh Rathore over Pahalgam attack posts

An FIR has been filed with Lucknow Police against folk singer Neha Singh Rathore over social media posts questioning the PM Modi-led government on the Pahalgam attack

Sad to learn about passing of eminent Kathak dancer Kumudini Lakhia: Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday expressed sadness at the passing of eminent Kathak dancer Kumudini Lakhia and said her contribution in the field of performing arts would be cherished forever. "My deep condolences to her family, friends and admirers," the president said in a post on X. The 95-year-old died at her home in Ahmedabad around 11 am, said Parul Thakore, administrator of Kadamb Centre for Dance and Music that Lakhia founded in Ahmedabad in 1964. She had been suffering from age-related ailments for the past three months, Thakore said. "Sad to learn about the passing away of eminent Kathak dancer Kumudini Lakhia ji. Honoured with Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, Lakhia ji trained and mentored numerous students through Kadamb Centre for Dance," Murmu said in her post. "She transformed the presentation of Kathak dance through innovative contemporary interpretations. Her contribution in the field of performing arts will be cherished forever. My deep condolen

Abir Gulaal teaser out: Fawad Khan returns to Bollywood after nine years

Fawad Khan is making his return to Bollywood after nine years. The Pakistani actor will be seen opposite Vaani Kappor in their upcoming movie, Abir Gulal, releasing on May 9

Celebrities never fade away: How their creative works keep them alive

Dead celebrities remain valuable because their creative works - art, music, movies, or books continue to generate exponential value through actual sales, through royalties, licensing deals

Cultural performances at Maha Kumbh featuring renowned artistes from Feb 7

Cultural programmes at the Maha Kumbh will start on February 7, showcasing the vibrancy of India's artistic heritage at one of the biggest religious congregations in the world. According to a statement from the Uttar Pradesh government, the Culture Department has finalised all preparations for grand performances that would feature some of the country's most celebrated artistes over four days at the Ganga Pandal. The lineup includes performances of Odissi dancer Dona Ganguly on February 7, playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy on February 8, classical dancer Sonal Mansingh and singer Suresh Wadkar on February 9, and renowned singer Hariharan on February 10. The performances aim to present a "confluence of cultures," reflecting the spiritual and artistic essence of the Maha Kumbh. Besides the performance of Dona Ganguly, the wife of former India cricketer Sourav Ganguly, February 7 will also witness performances by Sufi singers Yogesh Gandharv and Abha Gandharv, classical musician Sum

India's many voices: Conversations on culture, democracy, and dissent

Can writers, artists, or citizens exist in a political vacuum? This collection of conversations by Githa Hariharan delves into culture, democracy, and dissent

Maurizio Cattelan's duct-taped banana artwork sold at US $6.2m at auction

Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan sold a duct-taped banana artwork 'Comedian' for US $ 6.2 billion in an auction held in New York. The artwork is bought by Crypto entrepreneur, Justin Sun

Award-winning artist prepared Ram Temple replica using Gulabi Meenakari

An artisan from Varanasi crafted a replica of the Shri Ram temple using Gulabi Meenakari. It took him 108 days to complete the replica and adorn it with gold and diamond

boAt withdraws sponsorship for Canadian Punjabi singer Shubh's India tour

Consumer electronics company boAt on Tuesday said it has decided to withdraw sponsorship of Canada-based Punjabi singer Shubh's upcoming tour to India over certain remarks he made earlier this year. "At boAt, while our commitment to the incredible music community runs deep, we are first and foremost a true Indian brand. Therefore, when we became aware of the remarks made by artist Shubh earlier this year, we chose to withdraw our sponsorship from the tour," the company said in a post on social media platform X. Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha has raised objections claiming that Shubh allegedly showed support for Khalistanis by posting a distorted map of Kashmir. Shubhneet Singh, popularly known as Shubh, is scheduled to perform during the Cruise Control 4.0 event in Mumbai from September 23-25. Cricketer Virat Kohli had recently unfollowed Shubh on social media app Instagram. The announcement by boAt came on a day when tensions between Canada and India flared up after Canadian Prime .

Scale of craft business to improve through Vishwakarma Yojana: Smriti Irani

On the occasion of his 73rd birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Vishwakarma Yojana scheme today to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Vishwakarma

PM Vishwakarma Yojana to benefit 3 million families: Ashwini Vaishnav

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the very important 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme...Around 30 lakh families in the country will be benefitted from this scheme," Vaishnav said in Bhubaneshwar

Arunachal to include left-out artisans from 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme: Khandu

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday announced that artisans left out from the 'PM Viswakarma' scheme of the Centre will be included in a flagship programme of the state government so that everyone gets an equal opportunity to shine. Speaking at a function organised here on the occasion of the launch of the central scheme, Khandu said that the state government would work out a separate programme to include all the left-out departments. He said the 'PM Vishwakarma scheme', which is a central-funded programme, would benefit state artisans through skill development. Every tribal family in the state has unique artisan quality that can create wonders in different fields, the chief minister said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme on the occasion of 'Vishwakarma Jayanti', under which traditional craftsmen and artisans will be provided collateral-free loans at a minimal interest rate. With a financial outlay of Rs 13,000 crore fo

Singer Kanika Kapoor, healthcare heroes win Asian Achievers Awards in UK

Popular Indian singer Kanika Kapoor, heroes from the UK's National Health Service (NHS) and Indian-origin high achievers are among the winners of this year's Asian Achievers Awards (AAA) in London. Kapoor was bestowed with a Special Award for Contribution to Music as a musician whose songs have been streamed by millions. Chief Clinical Officer of NHS Bexley Dr Nikki Kanani won Professional of the Year and fellow healthcare professionals Salman Desai BEM was awarded for his work for the North West Ambulance Service and Dr Lalitha Iyer for her dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic targeting a reduction in deaths among ethnic minorities in the country. The Asian Achievers Awards provide a great opportunity for us to recognise the outstanding accomplishments of British Asians in the UK. It is good to celebrate the positive impact and contribution all the nominees have made in creating a more modern, dynamic and globally-facing economy in the UK, said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

Spotify rolls out Showcase feature for artists to amplify work on platform

Artists can create a mobile card that can feature a particular song or an entire album as a mobile banner ad, strategically targeting particular types of listeners across 30 markets initially

This artist topped the list of most successful artists with Rs 91 crore

The artists were ranked by taking into account the sales of their works, sold at public auction in the year ending on July 31, 2023

Google Doodle pays tribute to Altina Schinasi known for 'cat-eye' frames

Google Doodle is celebrating Altina 'Tina' Schinasi, a popular American artist and inventor, known for her iconic 'cat-eye' eyeglass frames

Punjabi Singer Surinder Shinda passes away at the age of 64

Punjabi Singer Surinder Shinda passed away on Wednesday at the age of 64. He took his last breath at DMC Hospital. His work includes Putt Jattan De, Badla Jatti Da, and Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da