“Heartfelt Thanks to My Fans”: Alka Yagnik Reacts to Padma Bhushan Honour

As the nation prepares to celebrate the spirit of unity and patriotism on the eve of Republic Day.

The Government of India has given everyone another reason to rejoice by announcing the prestigious Padma Award winners for 2026. The list features eminent personalities who have made remarkable contributions to their respective fields. Among them, the late Bollywood legend Dharmendra is being posthumously honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, while the iconic playback singer Alka Yagnik receives the Padma Bhushan. The melody queen, whose voice has captivated generations, has shared her heartfelt reaction to the accolade.

Alka Yagnik, who began her journey in playback singing in the 1980s, continues to be one of the most celebrated voices in Indian music. Her songs have left an indelible mark across generations, and her vocal versatility remains widely admired. On receiving the Padma Bhushan in 2026, she expressed her gratitude, saying, “I want to thank the government for giving me this prestigious honour. And of course, I really, really want to thank all my listeners for their unconditional love.”

Over a career spanning nearly five decades, Yagnik has delivered numerous timeless hits, including Ek Do Teen, Taal Se Taal Mila, O Re Chhori, Agar Tum Saath Ho, and, most recently, Naram Kaalja from Imtiaz Ali’s Amar Singh Chamkila. Her voice continues to resonate with music lovers across generations, cementing her legacy as one of India’s finest playback singers.

Other notable Padma Bhushan awardees this year include Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy, Mammootty, Nori Dattatreyudu, Piyush Pandey (posthumous), S K M Maeilanandhan, Shatavadhani R Ganesh, Shibu Soren (posthumous), Uday Kotak, V K Malhotra (posthumous), Vellappally Natesan, and Vijay Amritraj.

Meanwhile, the Padma Vibhushan honours include posthumous recognition for Dharmendra Singh Deol, alongside K T Thomas, N Rajam, P Narayanan, and V S Achuthanandhan (posthumous).