Presidential Inauguration of Sangeet Natak Academi

The question asks about the President of India who inaugurated the Sangeet Natak Academi on a specific date: 28 January 1953.

To answer this, we need to identify who was the President of India in 1953 and understand the historical context of the Sangeet Natak Academi's establishment.

Establishment of Sangeet Natak Academi

The Sangeet Natak Academi is India's national academy for music, dance, and drama. It was established by the Government of India to preserve and promote the vast intangible heritage of Indian music, dance, and drama.

The Academi was officially inaugurated on 28 January 1953.

President of India in 1953

Let's consider the Presidents of India and their terms:

• Dr. Rajendra Prasad: Served as the first President of India from 26 January 1950 to 13 May 1962.
• Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: Served as the second President of India from 13 May 1962 to 13 May 1967.
• Dr. Zakir Husain: Served as the third President of India from 13 May 1967 to 3 May 1969.
• Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah: Served as the 11th Chief Justice of India. He served as Acting President twice, first from 20 July 1969 to 24 August 1969 and later from 6 October 1982 to 31 October 1982 (during the absence of President Zail Singh).

From the terms listed above, it is clear that Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the President of India on 28 January 1953.

Identifying the Inaugurator

Given that Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the President of India when the Sangeet Natak Academi was inaugurated on 28 January 1953, he was the dignitary who performed the inauguration ceremony.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the given options:

• Sarvpalli Radhakrishna: He became President after 1953. So, he could not have inaugurated the Academi in 1953.
• Mohammad Hidayatullah: He served as Acting President much later than 1953 and was primarily a Chief Justice. He was not the President in 1953.
• Rajendra Prasad: He was the President of India in 1953. This aligns with the historical fact of the Sangeet Natak Academi's inauguration.
• Jakir Husain: He became President much later than 1953. So, he could not have inaugurated the Academi in 1953.

Based on the historical record of the Presidents of India and the date of inauguration, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the President who inaugurated the Sangeet Natak Academi on 28 January 1953.

Revision Table: Key Information on Presidents

Additional Information: Sangeet Natak Academi and Cultural Promotion

The Sangeet Natak Academi plays a crucial role in the cultural landscape of India. Here are some key points:

• Mandate: It works to preserve and promote the performing arts traditions of India, including music, dance, and drama.
• Activities: The Academi organises festivals, workshops, and seminars; documents arts forms; maintains libraries and archives; gives awards (Sangeet Natak Academi Awards) to eminent artists; and supports institutions and individuals working in the field.
• Significance: Its inauguration by the then President highlighted the importance the newly independent Indian government placed on preserving and promoting its rich cultural heritage. It was one of the first national cultural academies established after India's independence.
• Other Academies: Following the Sangeet Natak Academi, other national academies like the Sahitya Akademi (literature) and the Lalit Kala Akademi (fine arts) were also established, reflecting a comprehensive approach to cultural development.

The inauguration event in 1953 by President Rajendra Prasad marked a significant step in the institutional support for India's performing arts.