SHILLONG, JAN 3: Raphael Warjri, an eminent painter, sculptor and cultural activist from Meghalaya has been conferred with the Pranab Baruah Artist Award for 2025.
Instituted in memory of the late visionary artist Pranab Baruah, the award recognizes a North‑East Indian artist’s lifelong contribution to painting and sculpture and is presented annually on Baruah’s birthday, 22 February.
In a press release, Sulakshana Baruah Bhuyan, Principal of Pranab Baruah Kalakshetra, announced the selection, lauding Warjri’s “unwavering commitment to the arts and his role in fostering cultural consciousness across communities”.
The accolade includes a citation, a memento, and a cash prize of ₹ 25,000.
Since its inception in 2002, the award has honoured a distinguished roster of artists from the region, including Shobha Brahma, Benu Mishra, Nilpawan Barua, Adya Sharma, Biren Singh, Nani Barpujari, Pulak Gogoi, Jiten Hazarika, Janak Jhankar Narzary, Kushakanta Dev Goswami, Rabiram Brahma, Trailokya Dutta, Saleha Ahmed, Kandarpa Nath Sharma, Kiran Sankar, Champak Barbara, Dilip Tamuli, T. Tombi Singh (Manipur), Kulchandra M Khem (Manipur), Chinmoy Roy (Tripura), Tlang Raghuma (Mizoram), Takar Riba (Arunachal Pradesh) and Buddhi Thapa (Nagaland).
Born on 14 March 1961 in Shillong, Warjri has devoted over four decades to artistic practice. In 1991 he founded the Riti Academy of Visual Arts, later establishing the M A D Gallery to showcase contemporary works.
He has participated in art camps in Dhaka (2005 & 2007) in collaboration with the Indian High Commission and the Greater Sylhet Indigenous Peoples Forum, and his creations have been exhibited at national and international film and theatre festivals.
A lifelong member of INTACH and the Khasi Authors Society, Warjri is also a founding member of the North East Film and TV Producers and Directors Association and the Meghalaya People Environmental Rights Forum.
He remains active in the Meghalaya Adventure Association, Meghalaya Editors and Publishers Association, and the Shillong Press Club, and has authored several books in Khasi and English.
His previous honours include the ISB & M Award (Kolkata), Green Warrior Award, Rotary Club Shillong Excellence Award, and the State Tirot Singh Memorial Arts and Literature Award from the Government of Meghalaya.
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