Shyam Sundar

Banaras Hindu University is elated with pride as two of its distinguished members have been conferred the Padma Awards 2026, among the nation’s highest civilian honors.

Dr. (Smt.) N. Rajam, Former Dean, Faculty of Performing Arts, has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan 2026 (Art). She is a Violin Maestro, who has globalized Hindustani classical music. Starting her musical career as a child prodigy, Dr. (Smt.) Rajam has become a legend in the field of music during her 50 years’ reign as a brilliant solo violinist. She ascended the stage as a Hindustani violinist at the age of 15. In 1959, she joined Banaras Hindu University as a lecturer, she rose to the positions of Head of Department (Instrumental Music) and Dean (Faculty of Performing Arts). She is known for tempering the Violin, a western instrument, for the Hindustani vocal style of music. She is known for introducing ‘Gayaki Ang’, to be specific, ‘Khayal Gayaki Ang’ on the violin. She was accepted by Late Pt. Omkarnath Thakur as his disciple. In recognition of her contribution to music, Banaras Hindu University had conferred her the title ‘Emeritus Professor.’

Padma Vibhushan-Dr. (Smt.) N. Rajam (Arts)

Prof. Shyam Sundar, Distinguished Professor, General Medicine, has been conferred the Padma Shri 2026 (Medicine). He is an internationally acclaimed clinician - scientist in infectious diseases, particularly Kala Azar. He has developed the first orally effective drug and a test for rapid diagnosis of the disease. He has also worked on other infectious diseases, like HIV. He completed his MD (Medicine) from the Institute of Medical Sciences in 1981.

Padma Shri-Prof. Shyam Sundar (Medicine)

Hon’ble President Droupadi Murmu conferred them with the Padma Awards on May 25 at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

बनारस हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय गौरवान्वित है क्योंकि इसके दो विशिष्ट सदस्यों को 2026 के पद्म पुरस्कारों से सम्मानित किया गया है, जो देश के सर्वोच्च नागर नागरिक सम्मान में से हैं।

डॉ. (श्रीमती) एन. राजाम, पूर्व डीन, फैकल्टी ऑफ पर्फॉर्मिंग आर्ट्स, को पद्म विभूषण 2026 (कला) से सम्मानित किया गया है। वे एक वायलिन माइस्ट्रो हैं, जिन्होंने हिंदुस्तानी शास्त्रीय संगीत को वैश्विक स्तर पर पहुँचाया है। अपने संगीत करियर की शुरुआत बाल प्रतिभा के रूप में करने वाली डॉ. (श्रीमती) राजाम अपने 50 वर्षों के शानदार सोलो वायलिनिस्ट के सफर में संगीत की दुनिया की एकLegenda बन गई हैं। उन्होंने 15 साल की उम्र में एक हिंदुस्तानी वायलिनिस्ट के रूप में मंच पर कदम रखा। 1959 में, उन्होंने बनारस हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय में लेक्चरर के तौर पर काम शुरू किया और बाद में इंस्ट्रूमेंटल म्यूजिक विभाग की हेड और फैकल्टी ऑफ पर्फॉर्मिंग आर्ट्स की डीन बन गईं। उन्हें वायलिन, जो कि एक पश्चिमी वाद्ययंत्र है, को हिंदुस्तानी गायकी शैली में ढालने के लिए जाना जाता है। उन्हें वायलिन पर ‘गायकी अंग’, और खासतौर पर ‘ख़याल गायकी अंग’ को पेश करने के लिए जाना जाता है। उन्हें स्वर्गीय पं. ओमकर्नाथ ठाकुर ने अपने शिष्य के रूप में स्वीकार किया था। उनके संगीत में योगदान को मान्यता देते हुए बनारस हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय ने उन्हें 'एमेरिटस प्रोफेसर' का शीर्षक दिया।

Padma Vibhushan-Dr. (Smt.) N. Rajam (Arts)

प्रो. श्याम सुंदर, विशिष्ट प्रोफेसर, जनरल मेडिसिन, को पद्म श्री 2026 (मेडिसिन) से सम्मानित किया गया है। वह संक्रामक रोगों, खासकर कालाजार में एक अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर के प्रसिद्ध क्लिनिशियन-वैज्ञानिक हैं। उन्होंने इस बीमारी के लिए पहला मौखिक प्रभावी दवा और तेजी से निदान के लिए एक टेस्ट विकसित किया है। उन्होंने अन्य संक्रामक रोगों, जैसे HIV, पर भी काम किया है। उन्होंने 1981 में इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ मेडिकल साइंसेज से एमडी (मेडिसिन) पूरी की।

Padma Shri-Prof. Shyam Sundar (Medicine)

माननीय राष्ट्रपति द्रौपदी मुर्मू ने 25 मई को राष्ट्रपति भवन में उन्हें पद्म पुरस्कार से सम्मानित किया।

Renowned scientist and distinguished member of Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Prof. Shyam Sundar, has been honored with the prestigious “Clara Southmayd Ludlow Medal” by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH). The award was presented on November 9, 2025, at a grand ceremony held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Canada. Due to health reasons, Prof. Shyam Sundar could not attend the award ceremony in person. Therefore, the Society’s President, Dr. David Fidock, symbolically presented the medal to him.

On this occasion Prof. Shyam Sundar said, “I am deeply grateful to accept this award on behalf of those living with kala-azar and other neglected diseases. I am profoundly moved that ASTMH has placed kala-azar at its focus. This disease affects the poorest of the poor, and their suffering has always inspired me.” He further urged that efforts should continue for better treatments, equity, and justice for those who are ill.

Prof. Sundar received this honor in recognition of his outstanding contributions and pioneering research in the field of tropical diseases. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi congratulated Prof. Shyam Sundar and lauded his remarkable work. Prof. Sundar is globally renowned for his remarkable research on kala-azar.

The Clara Southmayd Ludlow Medal was established in 2017 to honor scientists who have made inspirational achievements in medical science despite facing difficult circumstances and challenges. The medal commemorates Clara Ludlow, the first female member of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. With this recognition, Prof. Shyam Sundar joins the club of eminent global scientists who have made significant contributions to tropical medicine research and disease control. Previously, he was also honored with the Goyal Award (2018–19) for his exceptional work in life sciences research.