New Delhi, Feb 18 (UNI) President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday presented the Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 to Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Chhayanaut (a cultural organisation of Bangladesh) and Ram Vanji Sutar respectively at a function held here.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kovind said the Award was a celebration of Indian traditions of culture and civilisational wealth be it in literature, music, art and drama, sculpture and handicraft or design and digital art.
``Each region in our country has a distinct cultural identity. Yet, in its essence, culture does not divide – it unites and harmonises all of India and all of humanity,’’ he said.
Hailing the contributions of the award winners, the President said Rajkumar Singhajit Singh was one of the greatest exponents of Manipuri dance who has bridged the age-old art form of Manipur with not only modern sensibilities but with other parts of the country.
Chhayanaut is an organisation that has promoted and preserved the works and philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore in Bangladesh.
Ram Vanji Sutar is a sculptor and scholar who represents an art tradition that goes back thousands of years to our ancient past. ``Today he is most well-known for the Statue of Unity,’’he said.

Among those present on the occasion were Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Minister of State (Independent Charge), for Culture Mahesh Sharma.
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