BHOPAL, 31 October — The government of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh yesterday conferred cultural awards on prominent personalities. Film star Amitabh Bachchan and a host of other artists were among those who were honored. State Chief Minister Digvijay Singh gave Kishore Kumar Award for 2002-2003 to Amitabh at a glittering ceremony here. The Kishore Kumar Award is given annually for outstanding film direction, acting, script writing and lyric-writing. Renowned Dhrupad exponent Ustad Rahim Fahimuddin Dagar was honored with the Kalidas Samman for classical music while noted Kathak dancer Kumudini Lakhiya was given this award in the classical dance and renowned painter Ghulam Muhammad Sheikh in the plastic arts category. The National Tulsi Samman went to folk singer Ramkailash Yadav and the Devi Ahilya Samman to folk singer Gurmeet Baba. Kumar Gandharva Award was presented to classical singer Ustad Rashid Khan.
