GUWAHATI: Guru Sangyusang S. Pongener of Nagaland was conferred the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of art and his lifelong efforts to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Ao Naga community.
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An acclaimed actor, director and cultural mentor, Pongener has spent more than six decades working to safeguard indigenous traditions through music, dance, storytelling and community engagement.
Born in Ungma village in Nagaland's Mokokchung district, Pongener grew up learning traditional songs, dances and oral narratives from village elders. Over the years, he transformed that knowledge into a mission to document, revive and pass on Ao Naga cultural practices to younger generations.
In 1982, he co-founded the Naga Wadir Club, an organisation dedicated to promoting folk music, traditional dance and cultural awareness through community programmes and performances.
Pongener has represented Ao Naga culture on national and international platforms, helping introduce indigenous traditions from Nagaland to wider audiences across the world. His work has focused not only on performance but also on preserving art forms that were at risk of fading away.
Through his cultural initiatives and mentorship programmes, he has guided and trained more than 2,000 young artists, ensuring the continued transmission of Ao Naga folk traditions.
The Padma Shri recognises his decades-long contribution to the preservation of indigenous heritage and his role in keeping the cultural identity of the Ao Naga community alive for future generations.