Padma Awards 2025 Celebrate Excellence in Medicine, Arts, and Culture
The Government of India has announced the prestigious Padma Awards for 2025, honoring exceptional individuals for their distinguished service across various fields. This year's recipients include a pioneering Indian American oncologist, celebrated Telugu actors, a renowned Carnatic musician, and a distinguished Sanskrit scholar, highlighting the diverse contributions of Indians both domestically and internationally.
Dr Nori Dattatreyudu: A Global Crusader Against Cancer Awarded Padma Bhushan
Dr Nori Dattatreyudu, an eminent Indian American radiation oncologist, has been conferred the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award. This recognition follows his earlier Padma Shri in 2015, underscoring his lifelong dedication to combating cancer. Born in Mantada village, Krishna district, Dr Nori completed his medical education at Kurnool Medical College and Osmania Medical College before establishing a distinguished career in the United States.
As a leading global authority in brachytherapy, Dr Nori has pioneered groundbreaking techniques that have transformed cancer treatment worldwide. He was the first physician in the United States to work with a computerized brachytherapy system and developed the transperineal brachytherapy technique, a non-surgical approach that significantly improved the quality of life for prostate cancer patients. His work in high dose rate and remote after-loading brachytherapy, particularly for cervical cancer, has benefited millions globally.
Dr Nori's contributions extend beyond clinical practice. He has led several National Cancer Institute-sponsored clinical trials and trained over 200 oncology specialists across the globe. His honors include the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2014, the highest civilian award in the United States, and being named a Living Legend in Cancer Care by the Indian Cancer Congress in 2017. Currently, he serves as a consultant to the International Atomic Energy Agency and was appointed advisor to the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments in 2025 for preventive, curative, and affordable cancer care.
Responding to the Padma Bhushan honor, Dr Nori expressed that recognition from his own country holds special significance. "This award is a challenge and a renewed responsibility to advance the fight against the cancer epidemic. I will continue to aim to completely eradicate some cancers in the next six-seven years," he stated.
Gadde Rajendra Prasad: Telugu Cinema's Beloved 'Nata Kireeti' Receives Padma Shri
Gadde Rajendra Prasad, fondly revered as Nata Kireeti, has been awarded the Padma Shri for his outstanding contributions to Telugu cinema. With a career spanning more than four decades and over 200 films, Rajendra Prasad is celebrated for his versatility, particularly in comedy roles that have resonated across generations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Born in 1956 in Krishna district, he rose from modest beginnings to cinematic greatness through sheer dedication and talent. After completing a diploma in ceramic engineering, his passion for acting led him to formal training and his film debut in Sneham (1977). His breakthrough came in the 1980s with landmark films such as Ladies Tailor and Aha Naa-Pellanta!, which redefined situational comedy and established him as a master performer.
Rajendra Prasad's reputation extends beyond India through critically acclaimed international projects. He starred in the English-language cult film Quick Gun Murugun, screened at prestigious festivals including the London Film Festival and the Museum of Modern Art, New York. He also won the Royal Reel Award at the Canada International Film Festival for his performance in the medical thriller Dream. Equally admired for his dramatic depth, he earned multiple Nandi awards for powerful roles in films like Erra Mandaram and Aa Naluguru.
Garimella Balakrishna Prasad: Posthumous Padma Shri for Devotional Music Maestro
Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, a renowned Carnatic vocalist, has been posthumously awarded the Padma Shri for his unmatched artistry and profound impact on Indian classical and devotional music. Celebrated for breathing life into the compositions of Annamacharya, he served as a special grade vocal artist in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams' Annamacharya project, making lasting contributions to preserving and popularizing devotional music.
A devoted disciple of Sangita Kalanidhi Nadunuri Krishnamurthy, Balakrishna Prasad upheld a rich classical tradition throughout his illustrious career. He held the honor of Asthana Vidwan for several prestigious spiritual institutions, including Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, and Ahobila Mutt. Over his lifetime, he composed music for more than 1,000 Annamacharya keerthanas and recorded nearly 800 for TTD, bringing timeless compositions to a global audience.
His legacy includes composing around 50 original classical kritis, rendering over 300 light music songs, and creating more than 25 new ragas. An acclaimed performer, he gave nearly 6,000 concerts in India and abroad, authored 12 books with musical notations for Annamacharya songs through TTD, and published five more independently. Honored by institutions like Potti Sriramulu Telugu University and the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Balakrishna Prasad passed away in 2025, leaving behind a rich and inspiring legacy.
Prof Vempati Kutumba Sastry: Sanskrit Scholar Awarded Padma Shri
Prof Vempati Kutumba Sastry has been conferred the Padma Shri for his exceptional work in promoting Sanskrit globally. Embodying the universality of India's intellectual heritage, he has delivered lectures from MIT Boston to temples in Michigan, ensuring that Sanskrit remains vibrant in the modern world.
From early Rigveda studies at Tirupati to advanced degrees in Sanskrit, Vedanta, Philosophy, and Yoga, Prof Sastry transformed teaching into a lifelong mission. His academic career spanned decades, beginning as a lecturer in Andhra Pradesh and culminating in leadership roles at premier institutions. He served as professor and head of Sanskrit at Pondicherry University, principal of Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, and later its first vice-chancellor. He also held vice-chancellorships at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi and Sree Somnath Sanskrit University in Gujarat.
His global influence extended as president of the International Association of Sanskrit Studies, presiding over world Sanskrit conferences in Edinburgh, Kyoto, Bangkok, and Vancouver. With 15 books, over 50 research papers, and critical editions of classical texts, his scholarship is vast. His Learn Yourself Sanskrit series reached lakhs of learners, demonstrating his commitment to accessibility. Honored with the President of India's Certificate of Honour in 2014 and multiple D Litt degrees, Prof Sastry has been widely recognized for his contributions.
Maganti Murali Mohan: Multifaceted Personality Honored with Padma Shri
Maganti Murali Mohan has been awarded the Padma Shri for his multifaceted contributions as an actor, producer, politician, philanthropist, and businessman. Best known for his work in Telugu cinema and public life, his career spans more than four decades, during which he acted in nearly 350 films and earned three Nandi awards.
He held key positions in the National Film Development Corporation and the Andhra Pradesh Film Development Corporation, and served as honorary president of Telugu Movie Artists Association till 2015. In 1980, Murali Mohan co-founded Jayabheri Arts with his brother Kishore, producing 25 films, beginning with Vaarala Abbay, which coincidentally marked his 100th film as an actor.
Beyond cinema, he became chairman of Jayabheri Group, a prominent construction company, establishing himself as a successful entrepreneur. His political journey included representing the TDP, narrowly losing the 2009 Lok Sabha election from Rajahmundry but triumphing in 2014 to serve as an MP in the 16th Lok Sabha. His philanthropic vision shines through the Murali Mohan Charitable Trust, which has supported nearly 10,000 meritorious but financially disadvantaged students in engineering and medicine, reflecting his commitment to social upliftment.
The Padma Awards 2025 highlight the extraordinary achievements of these individuals, showcasing India's rich tapestry of talent and service across medicine, arts, culture, and public life. Their stories inspire future generations to pursue excellence and contribute meaningfully to society.
