NEW DELHI: Carnatic composer and vocalist, Sudha Raghunathan was honoured with the Padma Bhushan from President Pranab Mukherje, while writer, poet, lyricist, screenwriter and advertising guru, Prasoon Joshi received the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

In 2004, Raghunathan was conferred the Padma Shri, and is also the recipient of the Sangita Kalanidhi and Kalamamani awards.

A former Information and Broadcasting Minister, veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader, L K Advani was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan. Senior media personality Rajat Sharma received the Padma Bhushan from the President.

This is the first part of the presentation of the civilian Republic Day honours which have been split into two in view of the large number of awardees. The second event is expected to be held around 8 April.

Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was conferred the Bharat Ratna - India's highest civilian award. Meanwhile, eminent filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali was also presented the Padma Shri, apart from author Tarak Mehta who wrote the popular television series ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’.

Cartoonist and ‘Chacha Choudhary’ creator Pran Kumar Sharma who died in August last year was given the Padma Shri award posthumously.

The event was attended by Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.