Very recently, ace Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam, who gave us top hit songs like ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’, ‘Ab Mujhe Raat Din’, ‘Main Agar Kahoon’ among others, was honoured with Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian honor by the Government of India for his contribution in the field of arts.
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However, the actor-singer recently revealed that he wasn’t pleased with receiving the coveted award so late in his life. When the singer was approached by government officials seeking his approval of receiving the accolade, he told them, “You guys are giving me Padma Shri now? You guys have been teasing me for a long time,” The Indian Express quoted him saying. He continued, “We are also human beings and we also get lured by these temptations.
“Is there a person who would be felicitated with an award and would not like it? Those who don’t get it, only they say it like that. It’s a good feeling to be given acclamation and recognition at the right time. Justice given late isn’t called justice. So I said, ‘ I won’t be able to accept this award’. I said that you all have given people who came 15 years after me, Padma Shri, 5 years before me already.”
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After speaking with the government official for 10 minutes, the National Award-winning singer said he would consult with his father and call back in 5 minutes. He then realized that he didn’t lobby for the award, it came to him.
“This is something that has come to me from the universe. For such awards, a lot of lobbying is done. A few people have done this for me as well previously, two or three times. I kept telling them that if I get Padma Shri this way, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it.”
He added that a lot of well-wishers said to him that ‘If you don’t do anything, we will get it done’. However, he is glad that it came naturally to him. “I am glad it didn’t happen before. Now, it has happened and that’s why I am able to enjoy it because it came organically.”
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The 48-year-old singer revealed that he is also aware which legendary classical singer nominated his name for this award and now he feels proud that he has earned it.
While receiving the award, Sonu got emotional and dedicated it to his mother. “Had she been here today, she would have cried a lot,” reported the Times Of India.
Very well deserved. Earlier, veteran Bengali playback singer Sandhya Mukherjee turned down Padma Shri saying it was too late.