The 34th Nataraj Kumarotsav held at the Gajalaxmi Kalamandap of Mini Stadium here for three days concluded on Tuesday.
Noted writer, director, actor and MP Prashant Nanda bagged the most prestigious Bhajan Samrat Bhikari Bala Samman for the year 2019. Eminent Singer and Kelu Charan Mohapatra Odishi Research Centre Director Dr Sangeeta Gosain was felicitated with Nataraj Sangeet Samman, while Guru Jitendra Sandha received Nataraj Nrutya Samman and Sudarsan Mati with Nataraj Natya Samman.
Students of Panchayat High School Kanpura and Archana Nanda were awarded with Guru Gangadhar Pradhan Yuva Prativa Samman. Around 29 successful competitors on Odishi dance, Odishi vocal, light dance, light vocal, fancy dress and drawing were awarded Kalpana Dash Smruti Puraskar.
The Kumarotsav festival was inaugurated by district Collector Bhumesh Chandra Behera on Sunday. MP Mahesh Chandra Sahu, former Union Minister KP Singh Deo, former Minister Naveen Chandra Narayan Das, BJP district president Bibhuti Bhusan Pradhan, BJD secretary Harsa Vardhan Singhdeo, ADM Bhabesh Kumar Nayak and Municipality Executive Officer Atanu Samant graced the occasion as honourable guests.
Dance dramas ‘Patent Medicine’, ‘Kumarpunei’, ‘Mahisa Mardini’ and ‘Baisnaba Janato’ and Bihu dance attracted the viewers. Dr Puspalata Rath, Sarat Majhi and Protima Sinha presided over the function for three days respectively.