Four distinguished individuals from various sectors in Odisha have been honored with the Padma Shri awards

OdishaPlus Bureau

This year’s Padma Shri awardees from Odisha exemplify a wide array of accomplishments. Among them is a 61-year-old sculptor renowned for his creation of the National Police Memorial, a 72-year-old neurosurgeon who was instrumental in the first successful craniopagus separation in India in 2017, an 80-year-old author acclaimed for her insights into human relationships and emotions, and a 63-year-old Odissi dancer who has elevated the classical dance form to international recognition. These distinguished individuals reflect the essence of Odisha’s vibrant cultural legacy.

Sculptor
Adwaita Charan Gadanayak, a 61-year-old sculptor and the current director general of the National Gallery of Modern Arts, is one of the four Padma Shri nominees from Odisha. His notable works include the impressive 28-foot-long monolithic black granite statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose located at India Gate, as well as the 30-foot-tall black granite monolith at Chanakyapuri in Delhi, which serves as the National Police Memorial, honoring the 34,844 police personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty since August 15, 1947.

Gadanayak, hailing from the Dhenkanal district of Odisha, pursued his studies in fine arts at esteemed institutions, notably the renowned Slade School of Fine Arts in London in 1995. He is credited with designing the central memorial structure at the National Police Memorial located in New Delhi.

Recognized for his expertise in working with black granite, Gadanayak represents a contemporary wave of sculptors who transcend traditional academic realism. He delves into innovative materials and techniques while maintaining a strong connection to Indian artistic heritage. His prominent works include the statue commemorating the Mahatma Gandhi Dandi March at Rajghat and the sculpture park situated at the KIIT Campus in Bhubaneswar.

In 2023, Gadanayak received an invitation from the consul general of India in Osaka-Kobe to create three sculptures over six months, which were subsequently installed in various locations. Gadanayak expressed, “Stones are the oldest members of our planet. Every stone has its vibration and is connected with the magnetic field. That is why in temples, people hug and kiss the stone idols of deities. They are attracted to the stones, or if you see stones worn in rings, they connect with divine power.”

Neuro-Surgeon
Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, aged 72, who held the position of chief at the Neuroscience Centre of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi until 2017, currently serves as the vice-chancellor of Siksha O Anusandhan University in Bhubaneswar.

He has made remarkable contributions to the fields of neurosurgery and medical education, notably leading India’s inaugural successful craniopagus separation in 2017. Mahapatra, along with a dedicated team of 125 medical professionals, performed the separation of 27-month-old twins, Jaga and Balia, who were conjoined at the skull and shared critical brain tissue, nerves, and major blood vessels. The intricate 16-hour, two-stage procedure involved vein grafting to ensure adequate blood flow to Balia’s brain, as the twins were reliant on a single vein for circulation. This groundbreaking surgery was subsequently recognized in the Limca Book of Records. Additionally, Mahapatra is an expert in skull base surgery, tackling complex medical conditions that necessitate advanced techniques and precision.

He is a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences and has been honored with numerous lifetime achievement awards. In 2010, he established the Neurological Surgeon Society of India, which has significantly contributed to the advancement of neurological surgery within the nation. Furthermore, he held the position of the first director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar in 2012.

Dancer
Durga Charan Ranbir, this year’s Padma Shri awardee and Odissi dancer aged 61, is celebrated for his efforts in promoting Odissi dance on a global scale, traveling extensively with his students to conduct workshops and performances in various countries.

Ranbir was born in the secluded village of Kamaguru, located in the Khurda district of Odisha, where he cultivated a deep interest in dance and music from a young age. Despite his father’s disapproval of the arts, being a zamindar, Ranbir frequently skipped school to participate in cultural events within his village. After completing his matriculation, he pursued his studies at Utkal Sangeeta Mahavidyalaya in Bhubaneswar, where he received training from esteemed Odissi masters Deba Prasad Das and Pankaj Charan Das.

In Bhubaneswar, he established his institution, Nrutyayan, dedicated to training students and promoting the Deba Prasad Gharana style of Odissi. His remarkable contributions to the field of Odissi have garnered him numerous prestigious accolades, including the Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Veda Vyas Award from Bhanja Kala Kendra, and the Orissa Samman from the Orissa Press Academy.

Litterateur
Pratibha Satpathy, aged 80, stands out as a distinguished poet in Odia literature, recognized for her significant contributions and literary accomplishments. Hailing from the village of Satyabhamapur in Cuttack, Satpathy inherited her love for literature from her grandfather, the esteemed Odia lexicographer Gopal Chandra Praharaj.

She composed her inaugural poem at the age of twelve and has since continued her literary journey without hesitation. Currently, she serves as the editor of the quarterly poetry magazine Udbhasa, which is dedicated to the promotion of Odia poetry. A significant portion of her work delves into the nuanced emotions of women, as well as themes encompassing life, nature, and interpersonal relationships.

Satpathy has been the recipient of numerous accolades, including the Jhankar Award, the Orissa Sahitya Akademi Award, the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, the Sahitya Bharati Samman, and the Sarala Award. Her poetry collections feature titles such as Nimishe Akshara, Sabari, Adha Adha Nakshyatra, and Tanmaya Dhuli.

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