The Sangeet Natak Akademi has conferred these honours since 1952, making them among the oldest continuous recognitions in independent India's cultural life. Their reach is deliberately broad: alongside classical music and dance, the awards cover theatre, folk and tribal traditions, puppetry and even instrument making — crafts that rarely receive national recognition elsewhere. Conferring two years' awards together, for 2024 and 2025, is why the recipient count reaches 115 in a single ceremony.