All India Radio artist, eminent playback singer and former president of the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Trupti Das has received the prestigious State level Bhajan Samrat Bhikaribal Samman, during the valedictory function of four- day 33th Natraj Kumarotsav held at the Gaja Laxmi Kala Mandap here last week.
Transport and Commerce Minister Dr Nrusingh Chanran Sahu, attending the concluding ceremony as chief guest, said cultural functions bring peace in mind for a while to political people, who lead tension-ridden life.
Among others, Sadar MLA and Zilla Planning Committee Chairman Saroj Kumar Samal, State Co-operative Bank president AK Mohanty, former Union Minister KP Singh Deo, former Minister Nabin Chandra Narayandas, former Rajya Sabha member Rudra Narayan Pany, former Sadar MLA Krushna Chandra Patra, BJP district president Bibhuti Bhusan Pradhan, United Laxmi Puja Committee president Rama Chandra Patra, former Municipality Chairman Nabin Dalei, Sunil Sharma, and Indiramani Behera graced the occasion as guests during different days of the festival.
Addition District Magistrate Abanikanta Pattnaik had inaugurated the Natraj Kumarostav on October 22.
Apart from Trupti Das, veteran drama artist Ajaya Mishra, singer Ankita Panda, Odishi dancer Biswa Bhusan Champatiray and Sanjib Behera were felicitated with Natraj Natya Samman, Natraj Sangeet Samman, Natraj Nrutya Samman and Natraj Seva Samman, respectively. Besides, Saiprasan Das and Manas Mohapatra were awarded Gangadhar Pradhan Prativa Samman. Successful competitors of Odishi dance, light dance, classical song, light song, drawing and fancy dress received their prizes on the occasion.
The Natraj Sangeet Mahavidyalaya organised the festival on financial support of the Department of Culture, Government of India, the Sangeet Natak Akademy, New Delhi, the Department of Culture, Odisha Government, the District Council of Culture and the Dhenkanal Journalists Association.