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
- Shri Anup Jalota Ji – Bhajan Samrat
- Smt. Anuradha Paudwal Ji – Renowned Singer
- Shri R.K. Sinha Ji – Bihar
- Late Shri Kishore Kunal Ji – Patna, Bihar – Posthumous; to be received by his son Shri Sayan Kunal Ji
- Dr. Archana Prakash Ji – Lucknow
- Shri Bhagwan Das Ji – Delhi
- Dr. Uday Pratap Singh – Varanasi
- Dr. Avadhi Hari Ji – Lucknow
- Shri Yogeshwar Prasad Devrani Ji – Nainital, Uttarakhand
- Shri Aditya Jain Ji – Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh
- Shri Abhay Manke Ji – Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- Sant Shri Hariom Ji – Hathras, Uttar Pradesh
- Shri Narendranath Gagan Ji – Bihar
- Shri Yogesh Chandra Sharma Ji (Yogi) – Agra, Uttar Pradesh
- Shri Sanjeev Ji – Bihar
- Dr. Asha Ojha Ji – Bihar
- Smt. Madgulla Prafulla Ji – Andhra Pradesh
- Shri Binod Kumar Tiwari Ji – Jharkhand
- Dr. Chandra Prabha Madan Ji – Haryana
- Acharya Santosh Pandey Ji – Rajasthan
- Shri Ajay Yagnik Ji – Delhi
- Shri Vindhyachal Mani Tripathi Ji – Uttar Pradesh
- Shri Rajradhe Krishna Sharma Ji – Maharashtra
- Shri Prem Prakash Dubey Ji – Maharashtra
- Shri Triloki Nath Pandey Ji – Uttar Pradesh
- Shri Ramdhani Dwivedi Ji – Uttar Pradesh
- Dr. Ravishankar Pandey Ji – Uttar Pradesh
- 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.