Bhubaneswar: The artistic tapestry of Odisha was celebrated today as the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi presented its prestigious awards for the years 2023, 2024, and 2025.
In a grand ceremony, a total of 134 artists were honored across various categories, receiving recognitions including the Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Samman, the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards, Upayana, and the Kabichandra Kalicharan Yuva Pratibha Samman.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Shri Bijay Ketan Upadhyay, Secretary, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department
The highest honor of the Akademi, the Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Samman, was conferred upon six distinguished personalities. The recipients are Dr. Pranab Kishore Pattnayak and Badal Shikdar for 2023; Mohini Mohan Pattnayak and Sudhakar Sahu for 2024; and Ghanshyam Panda and Bhagabat Pradhan for 2025. Each recipient of this top award received a prize money of Rs 5 lakh.
Overall, awards worth over Rs 2.5 crore were distributed among the 134 artists. The prize money for the other categories was: Rs 2.5 lakh for each awardee in Hindustani Vocal Music, Rs 2 lakh for each Akademi Award recipient, Rs 1 lakh for each Upayana awardee, and Rs 50,000 for each recipient of the Kabichandra Kalicharan Yuva Pratibha Samman.
Speaking as the Chief Guest, Culture Minister Shri Suryabanshi Suraj lauded the awardees, stating, “The artistic excellence of our cultural luminaries is the result of lifelong dedication. Their contribution has enriched Odisha’s art and culture, making them eternally revered. I am confident that they will continue to carry the essence of Odisha’s cultural heritage to global heights.”
The event saw the presence of several dignitaries, including eminent artist and Digapahandi MLA Shri Siddhant Mohapatra, Ekamra MLA Shri Babu Singh, and Korei MLA Shri Akash Das Nayak, all of whom highlighted the vital role of artists in preserving and promoting Odisha’s rich cultural heritage.
.Shri Deb Prasad Dash, Special Secretary, provided a brief overview of the awards, and Dr. Chandra Sekhar Hota, Secretary of the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, conducted the proceedings.
The fair selection process adopted by the State Government was widely appreciated, with a senior officer of the Department acknowledging the efforts of Secretary Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyay, in ensuring the impartiality of the selection.