Eminent singer and theatre director Shekhar Sen has been appointed the new chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the country's premier institution for the performing arts.
Mr. Sen was recently awarded the Padma Shri on Republic day for his contribution to the arts.
According to an order issued by the Culture Ministry on Wednesday, Sen has been appointed for a term of five years with immediate effect. The Akademi has been without a head after earlier chairperson Leela Samson, who was appointed by the UPA government, quit on September 30 last year.
Theatre personality Shekhar Sen during a performance of his one-act play 'Kabeer'.
“Sen has done many research-oriented musical programmes and rendered many significant bhajan albums since 1983 as singer, lyricist and composer, the statement from the Ministry said. It added that he is famous for his mono act musical plays “Tulsi”, “Kabeer”, “Vivekananda”, “Sanmanti”, “Saahab” and “Soordas” which have been highly acclaimed.
All his plays are written, directed and enacted by him, often featuring him in the protagonist's role. He performed his play 'Kabeer' at the Lok Sabha in 2005. He has been the recipient of numerous State awards.
