Bhubaneswar: Three distinguished individuals from Odisha — Sakhi Nata folk theatre artist Simanchal Patro, eminent educationist and folklorist Mahendra Kumar Mishra, and Santhali author Charan Hembram — will be conferred with Padma Shri 2026 under the ‘unsung heroes’ category.
They have been chosen to receive the fourth-highest civilian honour in recognition of their outstanding contributions to art, literature, and education, IANS reported, quoting sources, adding that an official announcement is likely by Sunday evening.
Patro is a celebrated performer in the Sakhi Nata folk theatre tradition, having begun his training in this art form from a very young age. He specializes in Prahlad Natak, a demanding style that involves mastering over 300 songs composed in more than 35 ragas. To further the growth and preservation of Prahlad Natak, he even sold a significant portion of his personal property.
Similarly, Mishra is a distinguished linguist and folklorist from Odisha who has dedicated his career to documenting and safeguarding the oral traditions of the state’s tribal communities. He has meticulously recorded their myths, epics, proverbs, and songs, while authoring over 25 books on Odia and tribal folklore. His efforts played a key role in the introduction of multilingual education in several tribal languages across the state.
Mishra was conferred with International Mother Language Award 2023 of UNESCO for his lifetime service for the promotion of mother language in India.
The IANS also shared a video story in which Hembram was described as the
sentinel of Santhanli language. He has tirelessly worked to establish legitimacy and greater recognition for the Santhali language and its associated arts. Over the last three decades, he established multiple institutions to make tribal and cultural education more accessible. Additionally, he has actively promoted indigenous dance forms among women to help sustain these traditional art expressions, it added.
This list of individuals, who serve as inspirational, key driving force behind any revolutionary change, despite the spotlight evading them, also include Bhagwadas Raikwar from Madhya Pradesh, Brij Lal Bhat from Jammu and Kashmir, Anke Gowda from Karnataka, Armida Fernandes from Maharashtra, Budri Thati from Chhattisgarh, Chiranji Lal Yadav from Uttar Pradesh and Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya from Gujarat.
Full list of unsung heroes honoured with Padma awards this year
1. Anke Gowda
2. Armida Fernandez
3. Bhagwandas Raikwar
4. Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda
5. Brij Lal Bhat
6. Budhri Tati
7. Charan Hembram
8. Chiranji Lal Yadav
9. Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya
10. Gafruddin Mewati Jogi
11. Hally War
12. Inderjit Singh Sidhu
13. K Pajanivel
14. Kailash Chandra Pant
15. Khem Raj Sundriyal
16. Kollakkayil Devaki Amma G
17. Kumarasamy Thangaraj
18. Mahendra Kumar Mishra
19. Mir Hajibhai Kasambhai
20. Mohan Nagar
21. Naresh Chandra Dev Varma
22. Nilesh Vinodchandra Mandlewala
23. Nuruddin Ahmed
24. Othuvar Thiruthani Swaminathan
25. Padma Gurmet
26. Pokhila Lekthepi
27. Punniamurthy Natesan
28. R Krishnan
29. Raghupat Singh
30. Raghuveer Tukaram Khedkar
31. Rajastapathi Kaliappa Goundar
32. Rama Reddy Mamidi
33. Ramchandra Godbole and Sunita Godbole
34. S G Susheelamma
35. Sangyusang S Pongener
36. Shafi Shauq
37. Shrirang Devaba Lad
38. Shyam Sundar
39. Simanchal Patro
40. Suresh Hanagavadi
41. Taga Ram Bheel
42. Techi Gubin
43. Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam
44. Vishwa Bandhu
45. Yumnam Jatra Singh