Assam’s eminent sculptor and art director Nuruddin Ahmed expressed deep joy on being named a Padma Shri awardee. He is among five Padma Shri recipients from Assam announced on the eve of Republic Day 2026.

Why Nuruddin Ahmed Matters

• A pioneer of modern Assamese stagecraft, Ahmed has designed sets for over 4,000 theatre productions, especially transforming the mobile theatre movement in Assam.
• His recent landmark work includes the Batadrava Cultural Project at Borduwa, linked to the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva, a key figure of the Bhakti movement in Assam.
• He has also designed State tableaux for Republic Day parades, cultural pavilions, festival structures and iconic Durga idols, blending tradition with modern aesthetics.

Training and Artistic Journey

• Born in Sathikuchi village, Nalbari district, Ahmed received early training at Sir J J School of Art, Mumbai.
• He later studied modern sculptural techniques at the Lalit Kala Akademi and obtained a diploma in puppetry from the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training.
• His career began with puppetry, later expanding into ambience design, sculpture, costume and property design, and Ankia Bhaona, a traditional Assamese theatre form.

Previous Recognition

• Ahmed received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2017) for his contribution to Indian theatre stagecraft.

Exam Hook – 

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Nuruddin Ahmed:

1. He is known for transforming Assam’s mobile theatre movement through modern stagecraft.
2. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for contributions to Indian cinema.
3. He has contributed to the Batadrava Cultural Project linked to Srimanta Sankardeva.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: 1 and 3 only

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