MUMBAI: Classical music Diva Meeta Pandit has been awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademy's 'Ustad Bismillah Khan Puraskar'.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi introduced the award in 2006 with an objective to identify and encourage outstanding young talents in diverse fields of performing arts. The award gives artists a national recognition early in life so that they may work with greater commitment and dedication in their chosen fields. Presently to increase awareness of Indian classical music in India, Pandit is hosting a programme Swar Shringaar on WorldSpace- Radio Gandharva.

Better known as the scion of the Gwalior musical gharana, Pandit has emerged as a shining star in the world of classical music. Meeta comes from a musical lineage, grand-daughter of Padma Bhushan Pt Krishna Rao Shankar Pandit and the daughter of legendary Pt L.K. Pandit.

Her melodious and robust voice coupled with intricate handling of ragas has won her admirers - young and the old alike. She has seriously worked on the rigorous talim, sadhana to flower her own unique style. Besides Khayal, Meeta is equally popular with genres of Tappa, Bhajan, Thumri, Sufi and cross cultural music.

Performed extensively in prestigious festivals in India and abroad like France, Germany, Pandit was the cultural ambassador in 2004 for the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) music festival in Islamabad.