THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

The 32nd Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival 2026 concluded here on Wednesday with four eminent personalities being honoured for their lifetime contribution to dance, music, theatre and cinema, followed by a performance of Maati by the Srjan Ensemble.

The five-day festival, organised by Srjan – Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa in collaboration with Sri Sri University, Cuttack, assumes special significance this year as the birth centenary of legendary Odissi exponent Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra is being commemorated.

The concluding programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by an address by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, Director, Srjan, and Dean, Faculty of Arts, Communication and Indic Studies, Sri Sri University.

The Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award 2026, 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, Dhirendranath Mallick for theatre and Mahasweta Ray for cinema.

The four awardees, recognised for their lifetime achievements and contribution to their respective fields, also shared their reflections after receiving the honours.

The Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Kala Samman, instituted by Ratikant Mohapatra in 2025 for established performing artistes in the 40-55 age group, was presented in its second year to violinist Agnimitra Behera and vocalist Dr Nazia Alam. The recipients received Rs 50,000 and a citation each.

Four young artistes were also recognised with the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman 2026. The award, carrying Rs 25,000 and a citation, went to Odissi dancers Vrinda Chadha and Aishwariya Singhdev, Kathak exponent Dr Nikita Banawalikar and Odissi mardala artiste Soumya Ranjan Nayak.

Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh and Odisha Deputy Chief Minister K V Singhdeo, who addressed the gathering, lauded the festival’s contribution to preserving and promoting Odisha’s artistic traditions and India’s wider cultural heritage.

The concluding presentation, Maati, was choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra and drew from the work of noted Odia poet Radha Mohan Gadanayak. Its script was adapted by late Jayadev Das, while the music was composed by Guru Lakshmikant Palit, with musical arrangement by late Tarakant Panda.

Rooted in the Odissi tradition, Maati explored the resilience and enduring strength of Mother Earth, portrayed against the cosmic interplay of the sky, sun, moon, clouds and wind.

The production combined traditional choreography with LED visuals and contemporary lighting to create a theatrical interpretation of the theme. The ensemble featured Rajashri Praharaj, Aishwariya Singhdev, Preetisha Mohapatra, Madhabi Rout, Daina Ghose, Pallishree Priyadarshini, G Sanjay and Rajkumar Kar.

The performance received a standing ovation from the audience.

The festival ended with felicitations for the production’s music director, technical team, guest critic Tapati Chowdhurie, programme execution in-charge Debiprasad Mishra and the Rabindra Mandap staff for their support during the five-day event.

The festival was supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Department of OLLC, Government of Odisha, besides receiving CSR support from MGM Minerals Ltd and Shalimar Chemical Works Pvt Ltd. OMC Ltd and Odisha Tourism were among its Gold Sponsors.