Prestigious Award Presented by Odisha Culture Minister

Eminent literature scholar and researcher Dr Nrusingha Charan Sarangi was conferred with the Vyasa Kabi Fakir Mohan Odia Bhasha Samman–2021 by the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, Government of Odisha. The award ceremony was held at the Odisha Research Centre on the occasion of the birth anniversary of legendary litterateur Vyasa Kabi Fakir Mohan Senapati.

The honour was presented by Culture Minister Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, who also paid floral tributes to Fakir Mohan Senapati. Dr Sarangi received a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh as part of the recognition for his contributions to Odia literature.

Recognition of Literary and Academic Excellence

Dr Sarangi was recognised for his distinguished contributions to Odia language and literature, his sustained academic research, and his significant literary works. His scholarly work, which includes comparative studies of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The House of the Seven Gables” and Fakir Mohan Senapati’s “Chha Mana Atha Guntha”, has been widely acclaimed in literary circles.

Minister Highlights Fakir Mohan Senapati’s Legacy

In his address, Minister Shri Suryabanshi Suraj emphasised the enduring relevance of Fakir Mohan Senapati’s writings, noting that the author laid the foundation of modern Odia literature by highlighting social realities and lived experiences. He added that Fakir Mohan’s legacy continues to inspire generations of readers and scholars.

Dr Sarangi’s Acceptance Speech

Dr Sarangi expressed gratitude to the Odisha Sahitya Akademi and the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department for the honour. He reflected on the influence of Fakir Mohan Senapati on his academic journey and underscored the importance of comparative literary research in bridging Odia literature with global works.

Cultural Program and Publications Released

On the occasion, the Odisha Sahitya Akademi released two publications:

• Rajakabi Gobindabhanja Granthabali

• Sahityika Janaki Ballabha Mohanty (Bharadwaj)

Students of Utkal University of Culture presented a chorus music performance, adding a cultural touch to the ceremony.

Dignitaries Present at the Event

The programme was attended by noted writer Shri Shantanu Acharya, Dr Bijay Ketan Upadhyay (Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department), Special Secretary Shri Deba Prasad Dash, and Dr Chandrasekhar Hota (Secretary of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi), among others.

This recognition cements Dr Sarangi’s position as a leading scholar in Odia literature, continuing the legacy of Vyasa Kabi Fakir Mohan Senapati while inspiring future generations of writers and researchers.

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The International Odissi Dance Festival was inaugurated with grandeur at Rabindra Mandap, offering a vibrant celebration of Odisha’s rich cultural heritage through spellbinding performances. The five-day festival is being organised from December 26 to 30 by the Guru Kelucharan Odissi Research Centre in collaboration with the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department.

Culture Minister Highlights Global Reach of Odissi

Culture Minister Shri Suryabanshi Suraj graced the inaugural evening as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, he extended warm greetings and congratulations to Odissi dancers and artistes. The Minister said Odissi dance has played a pivotal role in taking Odisha’s art and cultural legacy to the global stage, earning international recognition for the state’s unique cultural identity.

Odissi’s Growing Academic and Global Recognition

Speaking on the occasion, Special Secretary of the Culture Department Shri Deba Prasad Dash said that Odias take immense pride in Odissi dance, which has secured a distinct place for Odisha internationally. He highlighted that institutions such as IIT Bhubaneswar have included Odissi dance in their B.Tech curriculum and that an Odissi Centre has also been established at Oxford University.

Mesmerising Performances Mark Inaugural Evening

The inaugural programme began with a traditional Mangala Charan performed by dancers of the Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra Odissi Research Centre. The highlight of the evening was a captivating Odissi recital by eminent dancer Guru Bishnutattva Das, who beautifully presented an Ashtapadi from Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda.

Solo Odissi performances were presented by Arpita Pani, Tulika Tripathy, Prashanti Jena and Prabhutosh Panda. Duet performances by Tanmay Samadar and Farzana Jasmine, as well as G. Sanjay and Diana Ghosh, drew special appreciation. A group Odissi performance by artistes of Sankalpa Foundation added further splendour to the evening.

Art Exhibition and Sand Art Add Visual Appeal

During the programme, the Culture Minister inaugurated an art exhibition titled “A Celebration of Art, Dance and Music”, showcasing paintings on Odissi dance created by renowned artists. He also appreciated the sand art installations inspired by Odissi dance displayed at the venue.

Youth Engagement and Cultural Stalls

A special attraction of this year’s festival is the “Mo Odissi” selfie stand, which has seen enthusiastic participation from the youth. Visitors can also explore handloom and handicraft stalls, along with millet-based food stalls, set up within the Rabindra Mandap परिसर.

Strong National and International Participation

Notably, around 350 dancers are participating in this year’s festival, including nearly 15 Odissi dancers from abroad. Artistes from Odisha, West Bengal, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh are performing, along with participants from countries such as the United States, France, Germany, Australia and Malaysia.

Dignitaries Present at Inaugural Ceremony

Ekamra MLA Shri Babu Singh, Deputy Director of the Culture Department Smt. Suchismita Mantri, and eminent Odissi exponents including Kumkum Mohanty, Dr. Aruna Mohanty, Smt. Sikata Das, Smt. Sujata Mohapatra, Smt. Meera Das, Dr. Snehaprabha Samantaray, Smt. Kasturi Patnaik, Shri Gajendra Panda and Shri Durga Charan Ranbir were present at the inaugural evening.

The festival will continue over the next four days, featuring diverse Odissi performances celebrating tradition, creativity and global cultural exchange.

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Kandhei Nat (puppet theatre), a living cultural tradition of rural Odisha and one of the state’s oldest art forms, is slowly facing extinction amid rapid modernization. However, efforts such as the National Puppet Theatre Festival are playing a vital role in preserving, promoting and reviving this rich traditional art while introducing it to the younger generation.

The two-day festival is being organised on December 18 and 19 at Bhanja Kala Mandap, under the joint aegis of the Odisha Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture and the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Participation from Across India

According to organisers, a total of 13 puppet theatre troupes are participating in the festival—eight from Odisha and five from other Indian states, including Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan and West Bengal. The festival showcases diverse forms of puppetry such as string puppets (Suta Kandhei), rod puppets (Kathi Kandhei) and shadow puppetry (Chhaya Kandhei), reflecting both traditional and contemporary styles.

Performances Highlight Cultural Diversity

The opening performance featured “Vande Mataram”, presented by the Shri Ram Shadow Theatre Research Centre of Khamar, Angul district, which deeply impressed the audience. This was followed by notable performances including Sakhi Kandhei Nat by Parameswar Singh of Kendrapada, Gopalila Kandhei Nat by Jagabandhu Behera of Bhanjanagar, Ravana Chhaya by Gouranga Charan Das of Angul, and Ramlila Kandhei Nat by Chakradhar Parida of Keonjhar.

A major highlight of the festival was the contemporary puppet theatre performance by Amarendranath Naskar from South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, along with a captivating shadow theatre presentation by Gunduraju from Karnataka, which received wide appreciation from the audience.

Preserving a Living Tradition

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Vijay Ketan Upadhyay, Secretary of the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, said such initiatives aim to rejuvenate Odisha’s art and cultural heritage. He urged young people to attend and experience these traditional performances, emphasising that Kandhei Nat remains a living cultural tradition in rural Odisha.

“The National Puppet Theatre Festival not only helps in the wide promotion of Kandhei Nat but also enables today’s youth to understand and connect with our rich cultural legacy,” he said.

The festival stands as a significant step towards safeguarding Odisha’s traditional performing arts while fostering cultural exchange at the national level.

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