Anindya Chatterjee, Sandhya Mukherjee refuse Padma Shri

Tabla player Pandit Anindya Chatterjee has declined to receive the Padma Shri honour. The eminent percussionist, who has done 'jugal bandis' (duets) with maestros like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan said he had recieved a phone call from Delhi on Tuesday seeking his consent.

"However, I politely declined. I said thank you but I am not ready to receive Padma Shri at this phase of my career. I have passed that phase," Chatterjee, who received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 2002, said. Singing legend Sandhya Mukherjee also turned down the offer of the Padma Shri on Tuesday evening.

"At the age of 90, having regaled generations of listeners for around eight decades, she deserved something more," her daughter said.