28 Distinguished Personalities Selected for ‘Ramayani Samman–2026’ Announced

28 Distinguished Personalities Selected for ‘Ramayani Samman–2026’ Announced

New Delhi/Varanasi, August 7, 2026: The Ramayana Research Council has announced the names of 28 distinguished personalities selected for the first-ever ‘Ramayani Samman–2026’, instituted to honour outstanding contributions to the preservation, promotion and dissemination of the Ramayana and its timeless values. The national award ceremony will be held on August 19, 2026, at Malaviya Value Anushilan Kendra, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, in collaboration with the Centre for Indian Studies, BHU, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Goswami Tulsidas Ji.

More than 250 nominations were received from across the country between July 9 and July 26, 2026, and were evaluated by the selection committee on the prescribed criteria. The awards recognise contributions across seven categories—Ramayana Research, Ram Katha Recitation, Ramayana Literature, Ramayana Music, Bal Ramayani, Rashtraseva Ramayani and Shri Sita-Ram Pathik.

Dr. Deo Dutt Sharma, Coordinator, Ramayani Samman and Trustee, Ramayana Research Council, said, “The first Ramayani Samman is a humble effort to recognise and honour distinguished personalities who have dedicated themselves to the Ramayana through research, literature, spirituality, music, Ram Katha and social awakening. We are grateful to the jury and all the eminent scholars and personalities who contributed to the selection process. Presenting these honours in Kashi, the sacred land associated with Goswami Tulsidas Ji, makes the occasion even more meaningful.”

Dr. Sandeep Marwah, eminent media personality, educationist and Member of the Selection Committee, said, “The Ramayana is not only a great Indian epic but a timeless source of values such as truth, dharma, compassion, sacrifice, family harmony, service and peace. The Ramayani Samman will provide a national platform to celebrate those who are carrying this eternal message to society and inspiring the younger generation to connect with India’s rich cultural and knowledge heritage.”

Selected Recipients of Ramayani Samman–2026

1. Shri Anup Jalota Ji – Bhajan Samrat
2. Smt. Anuradha Paudwal Ji – Renowned Singer
3. Shri R.K. Sinha Ji – Bihar
4. Late Shri Kishore Kunal Ji – Patna, Bihar – Posthumous; to be received by his son Shri Sayan Kunal Ji
5. Dr. Archana Prakash Ji – Lucknow
6. Shri Bhagwan Das Ji – Delhi
7. Dr. Uday Pratap Singh – Varanasi
8. Dr. Avadhi Hari Ji – Lucknow
9. Shri Yogeshwar Prasad Devrani Ji – Nainital, Uttarakhand
10. Shri Aditya Jain Ji – Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh
11. Shri Abhay Manke Ji – Indore, Madhya Pradesh
12. Sant Shri Hariom Ji – Hathras, Uttar Pradesh
13. Shri Narendranath Gagan Ji – Bihar
14. Shri Yogesh Chandra Sharma Ji (Yogi) – Agra, Uttar Pradesh
15. Shri Sanjeev Ji – Bihar
16. Dr. Asha Ojha Ji – Bihar
17. Smt. Madgulla Prafulla Ji – Andhra Pradesh
18. Shri Binod Kumar Tiwari Ji – Jharkhand
19. Dr. Chandra Prabha Madan Ji – Haryana
20. Acharya Santosh Pandey Ji – Rajasthan
21. Shri Ajay Yagnik Ji – Delhi
22. Shri Vindhyachal Mani Tripathi Ji – Uttar Pradesh
23. Shri Rajradhe Krishna Sharma Ji – Maharashtra
24. Shri Prem Prakash Dubey Ji – Maharashtra
25. Shri Triloki Nath Pandey Ji – Uttar Pradesh
26. Shri Ramdhani Dwivedi Ji – Uttar Pradesh
27. Dr. Ravishankar Pandey Ji – Uttar Pradesh
28. Smt. Rekha Mehra – New Delhi

The Council has invited saints, scholars, educationists, researchers, writers, Ram Katha narrators, artists and citizens from across the country to participate in the national award ceremony at BHU, Varanasi, on August 19, 2026.

First Ever “Ramayani Samman” Announced by Ramayana Research Council

First Ever “Ramayani Samman” Announced by Ramayana Research Council

New Delhi: The Ramayana Research Council has announced the first-ever “Ramayani Samman”, a prestigious initiative dedicated to recognising individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to the study, promotion, interpretation, and propagation of the timeless values of the Ramayana.

A press conference to announce the initiative was held at Marwah Studios, where Dr. Sandeep Marwah, noted media personality, educationist, and Jury Member of the Ramayani Samman, introduced the concept and highlighted the universal relevance of the Ramayana.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sandeep Marwah said that the Ramayana is not merely an ancient epic but a living philosophy that continues to inspire humanity with its messages of truth, righteousness, sacrifice, compassion, duty, courage, and devotion. He said that the Ramayani Samman has been conceived to honour those who have dedicated their lives to carrying the wisdom and values of the Ramayana to society through scholarship, literature, art, culture, education, media, and public service.

Shri Deo Dutt Sharma, Trustee, Ramayana Research Council, explained the vision, objectives, and significance of the new honour. He said that the Samman is an effort to bring together scholars, spiritual thinkers, artists, writers, researchers, cultural personalities, and institutions working for the preservation and dissemination of the rich heritage of the Ramayana. He emphasised that the initiative will celebrate both traditional scholarship and contemporary efforts that communicate the eternal teachings of the epic to younger generations.

The Ramayana Research Council, under the leadership of Shri Deo Dutt Sharma, aims to establish the Ramayani Samman as a distinguished national platform for recognising excellence and creating greater awareness about the cultural and humanistic values embedded in the Ramayana.

The announcement marks a significant step towards strengthening research, dialogue, and cultural engagement around the Ramayana and its enduring message of Dharma, compassion, harmony, and universal human values.

The presence of distinguished members associated with the initiative, including Dr. Sandeep Marwah as a Jury Member, further underlines the multidisciplinary and cultural significance of the Ramayani Samman.

Ramayana Research Council Invites Global Nominations for Prestigious Ramayani Samman 2026

Ramayana Research Council Invites Global Nominations for Prestigious Ramayani Samman 2026

Noida: The Ramayana Research Council has officially opened nominations for the prestigious Ramayani Samman 2026, one of India’s distinguished honours dedicated to recognizing exceptional individuals who have preserved, promoted, and propagated the timeless ideals of the Ramayana. The award ceremony will be held on 18 August 2026 at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, on the sacred occasion of the birth anniversary of Goswami Tulsidas Ji.

Announcing the details, Shri Deo Dutta informed that the nomination process commenced on 9 July 2026 and will remain open until 23 July 2026. The names of the distinguished awardees will be officially announced on 6 August 2026.

The Ramayani Samman seeks to honour individuals from India and across the globe who have made extraordinary contributions to the promotion of the Ramayana and its universal values through Ramayana singing, instrumental music, recitation, research, literature, education, art, culture, social service, spiritual leadership, and nation-building initiatives inspired by the life and teachings of Lord Shri Sita Ram.

The Council has invited scholars, researchers, artists, spiritual leaders, educators, cultural ambassadors, social workers, and institutions to submit nominations of deserving personalities who have dedicated themselves to preserving and spreading the eternal message of righteousness, compassion, devotion, harmony, and service embodied in the Ramayana.

Nomination forms are available on the official website of the Ramayana Research Council and its official social media platforms. Applicants may also submit their nominations directly through the online nomination form:

Ramayani Award – 2026 Nomination Form:
https://forms.gle/WKi56Voq7LkztngK8

The grand ceremony at Banaras Hindu University is expected to witness the presence of eminent personalities from the fields of literature, spirituality, education, culture, governance, media, and public life, making it a historic celebration of India’s rich civilizational heritage and the everlasting legacy of Goswami Tulsidas Ji.

The Ramayana Research Council has appealed to individuals and organizations worldwide to participate enthusiastically in this prestigious initiative and help recognize those who continue to inspire society through the timeless teachings of the Ramayana.