Five Odisha Artists Receive Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 and 2025
Five Odisha artists honoured with Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for their contributions to classical music, dance, theatre lighting and playwriting.
In a proud moment for Odisha’s rich artistic and cultural heritage, five artists from the state have received national recognition through the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 and 2025. The artists have been recognised for their contributions to Odissi music, Odissi dance, stage lighting, Mayurbhanj Chhau dance and playwriting.
The awards were presented at a special ceremony held on October 19 at the Meghdoot Complex, Rabindra Bhavan, in New Delhi. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat felicitated the award recipients.
A total of 106 young artists were honoured for their achievements in various fields of performing arts for the years 2024 and 2025.
Five Artists from Odisha Honoured
Three artists from Odisha were selected for the award for 2024, while two received recognition for 2025.
The awardees from Odisha are:
- Matrup Prasad Das — Odissi Music
- Gaurishankar Dash — Odissi Dance
- Debiprasad Mishra — Stage Lighting
- Shubhashree Swain — Mayurbhanj Chhau Dance
- Ghanshyam Sahu — Playwriting
Their achievements highlight the diversity of Odisha’s artistic traditions and the growing recognition of the state’s talent at the national level.
Debiprasad Mishra’s Achievement in Stage Lighting
Among the awardees, Debiprasad Mishra’s recognition for stage lighting stands out as a notable achievement in a specialised technical art form.
Associated with the renowned cultural institution established by legendary Odissi guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Mishra has been involved in stage lighting for Odissi dance performances.
His lighting designs help bring the emotions, gestures and expressions of Odissi dancers to life on stage. His work has received appreciation at performances organised across India and abroad.
Recognition at the national level highlights the importance of technical and creative contributions behind successful stage productions. Mishra’s achievement is also a source of pride for Odisha’s cultural community.
About the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar
Instituted in 2006, the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar aims to identify, recognise and encourage promising young artists who have demonstrated talent in the performing arts.
Artists up to the age of 40 are eligible for consideration under the award’s criteria. Each recipient receives a cash prize of ₹25,000, along with a Tamrapatra (copper plaque) and an Angavastram as a mark of honour.
The award seeks to motivate emerging artists to pursue excellence while contributing to the preservation and promotion of India’s diverse artistic traditions.
Recognition for Odisha’s Cultural Heritage
The recognition of five artists from Odisha underscores the state’s enduring contribution to India’s cultural landscape. From the classical traditions of Odissi music and dance to the vibrant martial dance form of Mayurbhanj Chhau, the awardees represent a wide spectrum of artistic expression.
Their achievements are expected to inspire young artists and strengthen efforts to preserve and promote Odisha’s distinctive cultural heritage on national and international platforms.
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