President of India Droupadi Murmu on Thusday conferred Padma Shri to Romalo Ram of Jammu and Kashmir in the field of Art during the Civil Investiture Ceremony in New Delhi.
Romalo Ram (Padam Shri) is a Dogri folk artist of Jammu region and is known as the real founder of Dogri Folk Song Geetru, who revived the dying folk form “Geetru and Bhakh” with his dedication and hard work.
Born on 3rd March 1963, Ram received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985 from the University of Jammu.
After graduation, he joined as a Government teacher in 1987 and also started writing Dogri poems and folk songs. He served almost in the remote areas for the better education particularly of the village students. He retired as ZEO Ramnagar in March, 2023.
Ram started performing Dogri folk in 1980-81 under the banner “Romalo Ram and Party” by participating in local functions. He served across the Jammu region and started a new revolution by the name of “Mission Maa Dogri".
His “Mission maa Dogri” Model has become the foundation for the huge success of young aspirants of the region. More than 150 pupils are working and learning the traditional art.
Ram published a book named “Geetruyen Di Fouhar”. His works were published in various newspapers such as Dogri Times, Daily Excelsior, State Times, Amar Ujala, Dainik Jagran, The Earth News, The News Now etc.
His contribution in the form of Cassettes, Records and published articles is the proof of his excellence in the field. He was approved as a B-grade artist in all India radio (AIR) Jammu in 1988 and in 1995 approved a B-high grade Jammu. He acted as a member of the General Council Committee of JKAACL to represent Dogri folk music and remained the active member of Advisory Sub Committee for folk music nominated by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of art culture and languages.
He acted as brand ambassador of SVEEP program of district Udhampur and Reasi in Lok Sabha and legislative Assembly election 2014.
Ram is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. He has been conferred honorary "Gold Medal” in the Folk Song Competition in National Youth Festival, 1999 in Lucknow, UP. The UT Government conferred on him “State Award” for his pioneering role in performing Arts of JK in 2022.
Sopori Academy of Music and Performing Arts at New Delhi honoured him with “Samapanund Rishi Samman” in 2018. Doordarshan Jammu and Montage film industry felicitated him by “Virasat Shri”in Jashan-a-Virasat, 2013.
He received Certificate of appreciation from various government agencies for different cultural participations.
He received Lok Kala Rattan Purashkar, 2019 in Akhil Bhartiva Lok kala Mahotsav organised by Karnataka Sahasa Kala Academy.
In 2017, he was honoured by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine Board and J&K Tourism Department at Katra in Navratra Festival.