The Padma Awards 2026 once again made room for the worlds of cinema, music and popular culture, honouring a clutch of figures who have shaped how India watches and listens.
Among this year's recipients in the field of art are some of the most recognisable names in entertainment, three of them recognised posthumously, a reminder that the awards often arrive as a final tribute.
These honourees sit in the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri tiers, separate from the actor Dharmendra, who was awarded the higher Padma Vibhushan.
The names on this year's list
Alka Yagnik, one of the most prolific playback singers in Hindi cinema, has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, recognition for a voice that has featured on film soundtracks across generations.
