Archive · 14 Aug 2026
President Murmu Honours Telangana Folk Artiste Ramaiah with Award
A 79-year-old man named Durshetti Ramaiah plays a very rare musical instrument called the Kaddi Tantri.
It is an old string instrument from a part of India called Telangana.
He travelled from village to village performing at temple festivals and cultural events.
He has kept this special music alive for many decades.
Very few people know about or play this instrument anymore.
The government gave him a big national honour called the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, gave him the award in New Delhi.
Ramaiah said he was deeply happy to receive such an honour.
Now, more people are paying attention to this rare folk music tradition.
Veteran Kaddi Tantri artiste Durshetti Ramaiah received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2024 in the Folk and Tribal Music category.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the award at a ceremony at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
The 79-year-old artiste is from Garrepalli village in Sultanabad mandal of Peddapalli district, Telangana.
The Central Government informed Ramaiah of his selection in June.
He was honoured for decades of preserving and promoting the Kaddi Tantri Vadyam, a rare folk string instrument tied to Telangana's musical heritage.
- Who
- President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to veteran Kaddi Tantri artiste Durshetti Ramaiah.
- What
- Ramaiah was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2024 in the Folk and Tribal Music category.
- When
- Thursday, at a ceremony; the article does not state the exact date.
- Where
- Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
- Why
- For his decades of preserving and promoting the Kaddi Tantri Vadyam, a rare folk string instrument associated with Telangana's traditional musical heritage.
- Award
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2024
- Award Category
- Folk and Tribal Music
- Recipient
- Durshetti Ramaiah
- Age
- 79
- Art Form
- Kaddi Tantri Vadyam (rare folk string instrument)
- Hometown
- Garrepalli village, Sultanabad mandal, Peddapalli district, Telangana
- Presented By
- President Droupadi Murmu
- Venue
- Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi