Bhubaneswar: Four unsung heroes from Odisha will be conferred with Padma Shri this year for distinguished service in their respective fields, according to the list of winners of the highest civilian awards released by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday.
They are Gopinath Swain, a Krishna Leela artiste from Ganjam district; Bhagabat Padhan, an exponent of Sabda Nrutya folk dance from Bargarh; Binod Maharana, an eminent ‘Pattachitra’ artist from Bhubaneswar; and Binod Kumar Pasayat, a lyricist and dramatist from Sambalpur.
They will receive the award in the art category.
>> Gopinath Swain has dedicated his life to preserve and promote the tradition of Krishna Leela singing. His commitment to traditional techniques and improvised methods have created a bridge between the past and the present. Coming from a family of Krishna Leel performers, he has sung and taught 5 ancient ragas, including Dakhinasri, Chinta Desakhya, Todi Bhatiari, Kumbha Kamodi and Bhatari. The 105-year-old has also established Akhadas (traditional village schools) and imparted training to hundreds of disciples.
>> Bhagabat Padhan has dedicated over 5 decades of his life to promote and popularise folk dance Sabda Nrutya, which is considered the dance of Mahadev. The 85-year-old has also trained more than 600 dancers in this dance form.
>> Shilpi Guru Binod Maharana is a traditional painter, who has also worked in tempera medium. He was conferred with National Award (All India Handicrafts Board, New Delhi) in 1974, Viswakarma Citation in 1983 and Dharmapada Award by Odia Language Literature and Culture department in 2019.
>> A hair-dresser by profession, Binod Kumar Pasayat started his literary career in Sambalpur and rose to fame with the famous Sambalpuri play, ‘Mui Nai Mare’ (I will never die). He has written many hit Sambalpuri numbers, including songs for Odia films ‘Samarpan’, ‘Adivasi’ and ‘Para Stri’. The 88-year-old has also written about 12 Sambalpuri dramas, including Ukhi, Mui Nai Mare, Lita, Chinha and Bharna. His Sambalpuri numbers ‘Ae Nani Sulochana’, ‘Rathar Chaka Chale Ghidighidi’, ‘Bajuche Madala Ae Baula’, ‘Hai Krushna Haie Krushana Boli’ are all-time hits.
The awards will be conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions at Rashtrapati Bhawan in March/April.
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