Efforts must be made for development of art, literature and culture as it helps keep a country united,” said former Union Minister, Brig KP Singh Deo while inaugurating a two-day Nataraj Kumarotsav-2013 at the Gajalaxmi Kalamandap here on Friday evening.
Gracing the occasion as guests of honour, former Minister Nabin Chandra Narayandas and former MlA Sudhir Kumar Samal lauded the efforts of the Nataraj Sangeet Mahavidyalaya for organising this traditional festival to mark Kumar Purnima for long 50 years.
Speaking on the occasion, engineer Premnath Tiwary said Dhenkanal has received worldwide acclaim for celebrating Gajalaxmi Puja in a grand way and giving birth to martyr Baji Rout ad brave lady Everest conqueror Kalpana Dash.
Danda Nrutya Guru Prafulla Chandra Sahu of Hindol was felicitated with the Nataraj Nrutya Samman-2013 and Srimati Jema Rana was felicitated with the Nataraj Hastakala Samman-2013. Srutiswarupa Mishra was also awarded with the Guru Gangadhar Pradhan Smaraki Puraskar for securing the second place in the State in the Governor’s Trophy. The meeting was presided over by Pradyumna Prasad Rath.
In the evening, a colourful cultural programme was staged by students of the Nataraj Sangeet Mahavidyalaya that left the audience
spellbound.