Mukund Nayak  Mukund Nayak (born 1949), is an Indian artist. He is a folk singer, songwriter and dancer. Nayak is an exponent of nagpuri folk dance Jhumar. He is recipient of the Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. He was born in Bokba village of Simdega district, Bihar (now Jharkhand) in 1949. He belongs to a family of Ghasi community, who are traditionally musicians. He earned his B.A. at Deogarh Vidyapith. With aim to preserve traditional folk arts, Mukund Nayak had started performing songs in public places with other cultural activist like Bharat Nayak, Bhavya Nayak, Praful Kumar Rai, Lal Ranvir Nath Shahdeo and Kshitij Kumar. In 1974, he joined "Akashvani" as performer. His first performance at larger audience was at Jaganathpur Mela in Ranchi. In 1980, when regional and tribal language department formed in Ranchi University, he became associated with the University. In 1981, he came in contact with Dr Carol Merry Baby researcher on Karam music of South Bihar and got a chance to work with her. In 1988, his troupe performed at the third "Hong Kong International Dance festival" of The Hong Kong Institute for the Promotion of Chinese Culture. In 1985, he established an organisation "Kunjban" to promote Nagpuri culture. Kunjban promotes Nagpuri culture, especially Nagpuri Jhumar.