New Delhi: Sarod artistes and brothers Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan Bangash have tweeted their refusal to accept the Sangeet Natak Akademi's Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2017.

The award is conferred on "young outstanding practitioners" in the fields of music, dance, theatre and other traditional performing arts. Thirty-three awards are given each year.

Amaan, 40, and Ayaan, 38, said their names were announced without their consent.

Amaan tweeted: "Cannot accept Ustad Bismillah Khan 'Yuva' Puraskar 2017 in the field of Music which has been announced WITHOUT OUR CONSENT by Sangeet Natak Academy at this stage of our lives after serving the world of music for over twenty five years @narendramodi @Ra_THORe."

In another tweet, he tagged the Akademi and the ministry of culture.

Ayaan tweeted: "Our names for Ustad Bismillah Khan 'Yuva' Puraskar for the Year 2017 in the field of Music has been announced WITHOUT OUR CONSENT by Sangeet Natak Academy at this stage of our lives after serving the world of music for over twenty five years! @narendramodi @Ra_THORe."

"Cannot accept Ustad Bismillah Khan 'Yuva' Puraskar 2017.... @sangeetnatak @MinOfCultureGoI."

The brothers are now in the US with their father, sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

Initially the age limit for the award was 35 years. It has been raised to 40.

Akademi chairman Shekhar Sen told The Telegraph: "Every artiste has the right to accept or reject the award and we respect their wishes.... "