President of India Pratibha Patil on Thursday presented the first set of the Padma awards for the current year to 61 recipients, including singing legend S P Balasubrahmanyam, actor Jayaram and actress Tabu.

The President presented the awards at a function attended by Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other high profile guests at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday evening.

While S P Balasubrahmanyam was honoured with the Padma Bhusan, both Jayaram and Tabu were presented Padma Shri. All the three expressed happiness for receiving one of the highest honours of the country.

In all, the government on the eve of the Republic Day had announced a list of 128 Padma awards winners —13 Padma Vibhushan, 31 Padma Bhushan and 84 Padma Shri. Another investiture ceremony is scheduled for April 1 to honour the remaining awardees.