Sonu Nigam calls for Padma award for Suresh Wadkar

Mumbai: Popular singer Sonu Nigam feels National Award-winning singer Suresh Wadkar, who has been part of the music industry for over three decades, deserves a Padma award for his contribution to the field of music.

Nigam took to Twitter on Wednesday to suggest that the government think about giving a Padma award to Wadkar as he has been working in the music industry for long yet hasn't been felicitated with even one of the country's three civilian honours -- Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. 

“Suresh Wadkar ji, the kindest human beings, an epitome of sincerity and commitment, deserves a Padma award, for his lifetime service to music,” Nigam tweeted.

“As a teacher, Suresh ji gives 1,000 musically trained students per year, to India. It would be right to acknowledge such greatness,” he added.

Wadkar -- best known for his songs like “Lagi aaj sawan ki”, “Tum se milke aisa laga”, “Chhod aaye hum woh galiyaan”, “Raat ke dhai baje” and “Bol Radha bol” -- was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Hey bhaskara kshitijavari ya" from the 2011 Marathi film “Mee Sindhutai Sapkal”. He is married to classical singer Padma.

Sonu went on to post on the micro-blogging site that Padma awards are the nation's highest recognition. "And we'd love to see the most deserving people receive it. About time Suresh ji is the conferred one," he added.