Chhattisgarh, 19th May, 2026 :
Dr. Munna Lal Devdas, a renowned lyricist, litterateur, educator, cultural ambassador, and social reformer from Kopra village of Gariaband district, Chhattisgarh, has been honoured with the prestigious “Rashtriya Kala Ratna Samman 2026” by Global Icons of India E‑Magazine for his remarkable contribution to the fields of art, literature, music, culture, education, and social service.
Widely respected for his lifelong dedication towards preserving Indian traditions and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh, Dr. Devdas has devoted more than three decades to education, literature, and social upliftment. He served as an ideal teacher and Headmaster for 36 years and was honoured with the President’s National Teacher Award in 2007 by the Government of India for his exceptional contribution to the field of education.
Dr. Munna Lal Devdas has earned national and international recognition for his extraordinary work in music and literature. His spiritually rich and culturally rooted compositions beautifully reflect patriotism, devotion, humanity, morality, and Indian traditions. His songs have been rendered by legendary singers such as Anup Jalota, Anuradha Paudwal, Suresh Wadkar, Sadhana Sargam, Aishwarya Pandit, Vandana Shrivastava, Sunil Soni, Mahadev Hirwani, Vinita Dhivar, Kishan Dewangan, and Jeetendriyam Dewangan. His musical creations have been released through leading music labels including T-Series and Sonotek Video.
In 2026, his emotionally touching Mother’s Day special song “Hey Janani Maa,” sung by Vandana Shrivastava and released by Sonotek Video, received widespread appreciation for its heartfelt tribute to motherhood. The song beautifully portrayed a mother’s unconditional love, sacrifice, affection, and divine presence, deeply touching audiences across the country.
Apart from music, Dr. Devdas has made remarkable literary and cultural contributions through his books, historical writings, and research work. He has authored 18 inspirational books along with numerous historical research articles dedicated to Indian culture, spirituality, freedom fighters, and social awareness. His landmark publication “75 Years of National Movement and Dawn Hymns” earned a World Record honour in 2022 for documenting the historical tradition of patriotic dawn hymns associated with India’s freedom movement in Chhattisgarh.
He has also played a pioneering role in promoting the legacy of Mata Kaushalya, mother of Lord Ram, and highlighting the contribution of Chhattisgarh’s freedom fighters at national and international platforms. His historic “Pitra Manas Festival,” organised at the Kaushalya Mata Temple in Chandkhuri, has become a symbol of cultural pride, spirituality, social harmony, and artistic unity.
Through literature, music, education, and social service, Dr. Munna Lal Devdas continues to inspire society with the values of humanity, patriotism, morality, and cultural awareness. His inspiring life journey reflects dedication, creativity, simplicity, and selfless service towards the nation and society.
The “Rashtriya Kala Ratna Samman 2026” stands as a proud recognition of his extraordinary contribution to India’s artistic and cultural heritage and his continuous efforts to preserve and promote Indian values for future generations.
