THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JANUARY 25, 2026

On the eve of the 77th Republic Day celebrations, Odisha found itself in the national spotlight as four of its most distinguished cultural icons were named Padma Shri awardees for 2026, a moment of collective pride for the state’s rich artistic and intellectual heritage. The Union government announced the coveted civilian honours on Sunday, recognising lifetime contributions that have preserved, enriched and redefined India’s cultural landscape.

According to the official notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, eminent Santali author and composer Charan Hembram, renowned linguist and folklorist Mahendra Kumar Mishra, legendary folk theatre artist Seemanchal Patro, and pioneering Ikat weaver Sarat Kumar Patra will receive the country’s fourth-highest civilian award.

Hailing from Mayurbhanj district, Charan Hembram has devoted his life to securing recognition for the Santali language and taking its art and cultural legacy to wider audiences. Through the institutions he founded, Hembram has worked tirelessly to expand access to tribal cultural education. For more than three decades, he has also been at the forefront of preserving indigenous dance traditions, with a special focus on empowering women to become custodians of these living art forms.

Eminent folklorist Mahendra Kumar Mishra’s contribution lies in giving voice to Odisha’s tribal communities by meticulously recording and preserving their oral traditions. His extensive documentation of myths, epics, proverbs and songs has resulted in nearly 30 authoritative books on Odia and tribal folklore. His scholarship has played a significant role in shaping policy, helping the state government introduce multilingual education in several tribal languages.

From Ganjam district, Seemanchal Patro stands as a towering figure in folk theatre, with over eight decades of dedication to the stage. Initiated into the art form at a young age, he mastered the demanding tradition of Prahlad Natak, performing more than 300 compositions set across 35 Odissi ragas. His devotion went far beyond performance, as he even sold a substantial portion of his personal property to ensure the survival and growth of the tradition he loved.

Sarat Kumar Patra of Tigiria in Cuttack district has been instrumental in reviving and innovating Odisha’s Ikat weaving tradition. A master weaver and innovator, he has developed over 50 natural dye shades and brought back traditional dyeing processes that were on the verge of extinction. Equally committed to community upliftment, he has mentored more than a hundred young and underprivileged weavers, passing on skills that blend heritage with sustainability.

Congratulating the awardees, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described the honour as a defining moment for the state. “The nomination of Charan Hembram and Mahendra Kumar Mishra from Odisha in the field of literature and education, and Sharat Kumar Patra and Seemanchal Patra in the field of art, for the Padma Shri Award for the year 2026 is a matter of immense pride and honour for the entire state. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and warm wishes to all of you. This achievement of yours has given Odisha’s art and culture a new identity at the national level. I pray to Lord Jagannath for your bright future and continued progress,” Majhi wrote on his X handle.

The Padma Shri recognition not only celebrates individual excellence but also reaffirms Odisha’s enduring contribution to India’s cultural soul, carried forward by those who have dedicated their lives to preserving its stories, sounds, skills and spirit.