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Renowned Rai Folk Dancer and Padma Shri Recipient Ram Sahay Panday Passes Away.

Obituary | Dated: 10 Apr 2025

In April 2025, renowned folk dance artist Ram Sahay Panday passed away at the age of 92 in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh (MP). He was born in Sagar district (MP) on March 11, 1933.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - In 2022, he was honoured with the Padma Shri award, India's fourth highest civilian award in the field of Arts, for his contributions to Indian art and culture, particularly for preserving and popularising Rai dance.
  • - Ram Sahay Panday dedicated over 60 years of his life to promoting Rai, a traditional folk dance form of the Bedia community from the Bundelkhand region in MP, by skillfully blending it with the rhythmic beats of the classical percussion instrument Mridangam.
  • - Ram Sahay Panday transformed Rai dance from a local tradition into a globally acclaimed cultural heritage, delivering over 100 performances in 18 countries.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) Ram Sahay Panday established the Bundelkhandi Lok Nritya Natya Kala Parishad, an organization committed to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the economically marginalized Bundelkhand region.
  • (ii) He was appointed as a member of the Tribal Folk Art Council by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in recognition of his lifelong dedication to the art form.
  • (iii) He was honoured with the title of ‘Nritya Shiromani’ in 1980 and "Shikhar Samman" in 1984 by the Government of Madhya Pradesh.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Which Padma Shri awardee and renowned Rai folk dancer recently passed away at the age of 92?

Correct Answer: Ram Sahay Panday

🚀 Quick Recap: