The life of famous art director Nuruddin Ahmed is a powerful testament to the belief that talent, dedication and perseverance can overcome even the greatest obstacle. Hailing from a remote village in Assam to receiving one of India's highest civilian honours, the Padma Shri, Ahmed's life story is an inspiration for generations of artists and dreamers.
At the ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Padma Shri upon Ahmed in recognition of his outstanding and long-standing contributions to the fields of art, stage design, sculpture and cultural preservation.
Ahmed has dedicated himself to artistic excellence, making invaluable contributions to society through his work for over five decades. His recognition is not only a personal achievement but also a national acknowledgement of Assam's rich artistic heritage, creativity and cultural labour.
Talking exclusively with Awaz-The Voice, Ahmed expressed gratitude for the honour. “I am deeply grateful to both the Government of India under the leadership of Narendra Modi and the Government of Assam. I am a simple man, a villager and an ordinary artist. I feel honoured that I have been considered worthy of this recognition. At the same time, I believe this award has increased my responsibility toward society,” he said.
Nuruddin Ahmed's wife, son and daughter-in-law watching him receive Padma Shri
Recalling his journey, Ahmed revealed that he has been associated with the arts for about 50 years. Born in the village of Hatikuchi in western Assam's Nalbari district, he began his training under the late Adya Sarma before moving to Mumbai and later honing his skills under noted artist Chandrakamal Bordoloi in Lakhimpur. Between 1981 and 1983, he underwent specialised training in modern sculpture and puppetry techniques in Delhi.
Ahmed's legacy has also been carried forward by his two sons, both of whom have established themselves in theatre, stagecraft, and visual arts. Speaking proudly of their accomplishments, he noted that they have successfully carved out their own identities while continuing the family tradition.
“My sons are doing even better work than I am. They have proven their skills in theatre, drama and films. Their artistic contributions, particularly at Bordowa, the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva, have been widely appreciated by the people of Assam,” Ahmed said.
His younger son, Deep Ahmed, who attended the award ceremony, described the occasion as one of the most memorable moments in the family's history.
“This honour is a tremendous achievement for us. It is the finest recognition of my father's lifelong dedication to art. Watching him receive the Padma Award in the presence of some of India's most influential personalities was a matter of immense pride,” he said.
According to the family, they were delighted to meet distinguished personalities during the official dinner hosted by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Union Minister from Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal.
Ahmed's wife, Junu Rajkhowa, his younger son Deep Ahmed, and his elder daughter-in-law Rasna Devi witnessed the moment with immense pride.
Padma awards recipients from Assam Nuruddin Ahmed, Dr Jogesh Dewri and Pokhila Lekhthepi with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal
From transforming childhood imagination into artistic reality, Nuruddin Ahmed has built an extraordinary career marked by innovation and excellence. His name occupies a distinguished place in the history of Assam's mobile theatre movement.
He has designed stage sets for more than 450 mobile theatre productions and provided art direction for nearly 5,600 plays across multiple Indian languages -- an achievement that remains virtually unparalleled.
Ahmed's artistic vision has brought numerous historical monuments, iconic landscapes, classical artworks and full-length statues of notable personalities to life. Most recently, he drew widespread attention after constructing a towering full-length statue of the late Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg entirely at his own expense. The sculpture, reportedly completed within just 18 days, was unveiled as a tribute marking the singer's one-month memorial observance.
His creative expertise has also shaped some of Guwahati's most prominent Durga Puja pandals. Along with his sons, he designed the elaborate stage for Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's second-term swearing-in ceremony. Ahmed also led several artistic installations commissioned by the Assam government to showcase the state's culture for the now-cancelled visit of Japan's prime minister Sanae Takaichi.
Among his celebrated creations are artistic replications of landmarks such as Indraprastha, the Great Wall of China and the Colosseum, which earned him widespread recognition for his craftsmanship and imagination.#PadmaAwards 🏅
— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 23, 2026
Nuruddin Ahmed conferred with the #PadmaShri by President Droupadi Murmu.
Architect of modern Assamese stagecraft, widely recognised for introducing modern techniques in sculpture and stagecraft.#PeoplesPadma2026 #PadmaAwards2026 #PadmaAwards @PadmaAwards pic.twitter.com/PYknAWvvgB
Despite reaching the pinnacle of national recognition, Ahmed remains focused on the future. He revealed plans to establish a museum near his residence in Kahilipara, here, along with an art school aimed at nurturing the next generation of artists and sculptors.
His initiative, Rajdeep Studio in Kahilipara, has already emerged as an important platform for aspiring artists, sculptors and creative professionals, offering both training and employment opportunities.
Ahmed has already received several awards, including the Kamal Lal Memorial Award for stage design in 2005 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2017.
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Yet, despite his extraordinary achievements, colleagues and admirers continue to praise him for his humility, simplicity and unwavering commitment to his craft.
