Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi presents awards for 2023, 2024 and 2025

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi today presented the Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Samman, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards, Upayana and Kabichandra Kalicharan Yuva Pratibha Samman for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025.

In total, 134 artists received honours across various categories, including six recipients of the prestigious Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Samman, the highest recognition of the Akademi.

For the Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Samman, the awardees are, Dr. Pranab Kishore Pattnayak, Badal Shikdar (2023) Mohini Mohan Pattnayak, Sudhakar Sahu (2024), Ghanshyam Panda, Bhagabat Pradhan (2025).

Each recipient of the Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Samman received Rs 5 lakh, while each awardee under Hindustani Vocal Music received Rs 2.5 lakh. Each Recipients of the Akademi Award were given Rs 2 lakh, each Upayana awardees received Rs 1 lakh and each Kabichandra Kalicharan Yuva Pratibha Samman awardee received Rs 50,000.
In total, awards worth over Rs 2.5 crore were distributed among the 134 distinguished artists.

Speaking at the ceremony, Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said,
“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.”

Dignitaries present on the occasion included eminent artist and Digapahandi MLA Siddhant Mohapatra, Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, and Korei MLA Akash Das Nayak, who highlighted the vital role of artists in preserving and promoting Odisha’s rich cultural heritage and conveyed their best wishes to all awardees.

The programme began with a welcome address by Bijay Ketan Upadhyay, Secretary, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department. Deb Prasad Dash, Special Secretary, presented the brief details about the awards, while Dr. Chandra Sekhar Hota, Secretary of Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, conducted the proceedings.