The five-day 32nd Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra (GKCM) Award Festival 2026 concluded on Wednesday with a prestigious award presentation ceremony followed by a captivating presentation of Maati by the Srjan Ensemble, under the artistic direction and vision of Guru Ratikant Mohapatra.

Organised by Srjan – Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa, Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with Sri Sri University, Cuttack, the festival marked the birth centenary year of legendary Odissi exponent Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. The 32nd edition also reaffirmed the festival’s three-decade-long commitment to artistic excellence and the preservation of India’s rich cultural traditions.

Distinguished artistes honoured

The concluding evening began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp in the presence of distinguished dignitaries. Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, Director of Srjan and Dean, Faculty of Arts, Communication and Indic Studies, Sri Sri University, delivered the Director’s address and welcomed the guests and audience.

The prestigious Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award 2026 was conferred upon four eminent personalities in recognition of their lifetime achievements and outstanding contributions to the fields of dance, music, theatre and cinema.

The award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a citation, was presented to Guru Sharon Lowen for Dance, Guru Keshab Chandra Rout for Music, Shri Dhirendranath Mallick for Theatre and Smt. Mahasweta Ray for Cinema.

The awardees also shared their reflections and artistic journeys after receiving the honours, adding an emotional dimension to the ceremony.

Kala Samman and Yuva Pratibha Samman presented

The Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Kala Samman 2026, instituted by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra in 2025 to recognise established performing artistes in the 40–55 age group, was presented for the second consecutive year.

The award, carrying Rs 50,000 and a citation, was conferred upon Shri Agnimitra Behera (Violin) and Dr. Nazia Alam (Vocal).

The Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman 2026, instituted to recognise promising performing artistes below 40 years of age, was presented to Sushree Vrinda Chadha, Sushree Aishwariya Singhdev, Dr. Nikita Banawalikar and Shri Soumya Ranjan Nayak for their contributions to Odissi dance, Kathak and Odissi music.

Leaders praise festival’s cultural contribution

Addressing the gathering, Babu Singh, MLA, Bhubaneswar, and K. V. Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, praised the enduring legacy of the GKCM Award Festival.

They also lauded Srjan’s contribution towards preserving, nurturing and promoting India’s classical traditions, particularly Odisha’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.

Srjan Ensemble mesmerises audience with ‘Maati’

The award ceremony was followed by the much-awaited presentation of ‘Maati’ by the Srjan Ensemble.

Choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, the production drew inspiration from the works of iconic Odia poet Sri Radha Mohan Gadanayak, with script adaptation by the late Shri Jayadev Das. The music was composed by Guru Lakshmikant Palit, with musical arrangement by the late Shri Tarakant Panda.

A celebration of Mother Earth

Maati celebrates the enduring resilience and ultimate triumph of Mother Earth, portrayed as the cradle of life.

Set against the cosmic interplay of the sky, sun, moon, clouds and wind, the production depicted Mother Earth’s acceptance of life’s burdens with grace and forbearance, eventually emerging victorious over forces seeking supremacy.

Rooted in the traditional Odissi choreographic idiom, the production incorporated innovative visual elements, combining agile movements, nuanced expressions and cohesive ensemble work with an evocative musical score.

Powerful choreography and visual presentation

The dancers — Rajashri Praharaj, Aishwariya Singhdev, Preetisha Mohapatra, Madhabi Rout, Daina Ghose, Pallishree Priyadarshini, G. Sanjay and Rajkumar Kar — impressed the audience with their synchronisation and expressive finesse.

Guru Ratikant Mohapatra’s powerful and sinuous choreography, enriched by striking postural imagery, was further enhanced by creative LED visuals and innovative lighting.

The performance received a standing ovation from the audience, bringing the five-day festival to a memorable conclusion.

Festival backed by government and corporate support

The festival was designed and administered by Festival Director Guru Ratikant Mohapatra. Dr. Mrutyunjaya Rath handled the compering, while Maya Krishnamurty curated the creative content.

The 32nd GKCM Award Festival 2026 was supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture (OLLC), Government of Odisha.

MGM Minerals Ltd. and Shalimar Chemical Works Pvt. Ltd. extended CSR support to the festival. OMC Ltd. and Odisha Tourism were the Gold Sponsors, while SAIL and HAL were the Silver Sponsors. NALCO, MCL, IMFA and Priyadarshini Handloom supported the festival as Festival Sponsors, with RMH as the Hospitality Partner.

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