The ministry of home affairs (MHA) has released the list of Padma award recipients of 2021, approved by the President of India and announced on the occasion of Republic day every year.  

Late singer SP Balasubramaniam has been posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award for exceptional and distinguished service. SPB was awarded in the field of art along with Sudarshan Sahoo from Odisha. 

Veteran playback singer KS Chithra was another familiar name from the film industry, who has been honoured with a Padma Bhushan this year.

Other Padma Award winners from Tamil Nadu for 2021 included Padma Shri recipients Anitha (Sports), Solomon Pappiah  (Literature and Education - Journalism), Subbu Arumugam (Art) and Bombay Jayashri (Art) among others.