The Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award 2021 will be presented to veteran theatre artist Binodini Debi, for her invaluable contribution and lifetime achievement in the field of Odia theatre.
The Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman will be presented to Arushi Mudgal for Odishi dance and to Ramachandra Behera for Odishi music (Mardala), acknowledging their dedication to the art forms and in recognition of their inspiring performances.
The Srjan will host the OMC GKCM Award Festival live on the Srjan GKCMON Facebook page and YouTube channel, from September 5 to 9 at 7.30 pm each day.
The award festival will be conducted with strict adherence to all the Government mandated Covid-19 safety guidelines, with virtual attendance of several dignitaries and luminaries from the world of art.
The Srjan has dedicated this year’s festival in memory of Guruma, late Laxmipriya Mohapatra, the first ever dancer to perform Odishi on stage and the fountain of inspiration for many doyennes of Odishi dance.
This year, the dance presentations scheduled for the award festival include Odishi by Sharmila Mukerjee, Bharatanatyam by Anita Mallick, Sattriya by Dr Anwesa Mahanta, and Kathak by Sushree Nikkita Banawalikar. The festival will also feature recitals by world-renowned Violinist, Dr Sangeeta Shankar, popular Odishi vocalist Rupak Kumar Parida, acclaimed Hindustani vocalist Manjusha Patil and reputed flautist Abhiram Nanda.
The concluding evening will feature the prestigious award ceremony, followed by the much-awaited finale by the Srjan ensemble. The Srjan will present a bouquet of neo-classical choreographs in Odishi dance, conceptualized and choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra.