Selected for Sangeet Natak Academy Award-2017 for Hindustani Vocal is:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:
The correct option is the Gundecha Brothers. The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is the highest recognition for performing artists in India, and the 2017 award for Hindustani Vocal Music was jointly conferred upon Pandit Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha, collectively known as the Gundecha Brothers. This award specifically recognised their outstanding contribution to the Dhrupad tradition, the most ancient form of Hindustani classical music. The brothers are globally acclaimed for reviving and popularising the Dhrupad form, ensuring that this demanding and spiritual style of vocalism continues to thrive through their extensive teaching and performing careers. The award serves as an official acknowledgment of their dedication to maintaining the purity and depth of the Dagar Vani Dhrupad style.

The incorrect option is 1:
Rashid Khan, a legendary figure of the Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana, is certainly a highly decorated vocalist, but he is not the recipient of the 2017 award. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Hindustani Vocal much earlier, in the year **2006**. He is primarily recognised for his mastery over the Khayal and semi-classical Thumri forms. While his eminence in the field is unquestionable, the specific year of his award does not match the question's requirement of 2017.

The incorrect option is 2:
Koushiki Chakraborty is one of the leading female vocalists of the younger generation, belonging to the Patiala Gharana. She was indeed honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Hindustani Vocal, but her award year was **2019**. Since the question is specifically asking for the 2017 recipient, her recognition came two years later than the required period, making her an incorrect choice for this question.

The incorrect option is 3:
Pandit Ajay Pohankar is a celebrated vocalist of the Kirana Gharana, known for his unique command over both classical and semi-classical forms like Thumri. He is a distinguished recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, but he was honored in the year **2012**. Therefore, the timing of his major achievement falls outside the scope of the 2017 query.