Archive · 27 Jan 2026
Archaeologist Narayan Vyas Honored with Padma Shri
Narayan Vyas, a famous archaeologist, just won a big award called the Padma Shri.
His teacher, VS Wakankar, won the same award a long time ago.
Vyas worked with Wakankar to discover old rock shelters called Bhimbetka, which are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Wakankar first saw these rocks from a train station and was so excited that he walked to the hills to explore them.
Vyas is happy to follow in his teacher's footsteps and win the same award.
Archaeologist Narayan Vyas received the Padma Shri award, following in the footsteps of his mentor VS Wakankar.
Vyas worked as Wakankar's assistant during excavations at Bhimbetka in 1972.
Wakankar discovered Bhimbetka rock shelters on March 23, 1957, after seeing them from a train.
Bhimbetka rock shelters are a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh.
Vyas and Wakankar's work is part of the ancient Indian guru-shishya tradition.
- Who
- Archaeologist Narayan Vyas and his mentor VS Wakankar
- What
- Narayan Vyas received the Padma Shri award, following in the footsteps of his mentor VS Wakankar
- When
- Wakankar discovered Bhimbetka rock shelters on March 23, 1957
- Where
- Bhimbetka rock shelters are located in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh
- Why
- Vyas was honored for his contributions to archaeology, continuing the guru-shishya tradition
- Award
- Padma Shri
- Recipient
- Narayan Vyas
- Guru
- VS Wakankar
- Discovery
- Bhimbetka rock shelters
- UNESCO Status
- World Heritage Site
- Discovery Date
- March 23, 1957
- Location
- Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh