Four Cultural Guardians from Odisha Honoured with Prestigious Padma Shri Awards
In a significant recognition of Odisha's rich cultural tapestry, four eminent contributors to the state's linguistic, tribal, and artistic heritage have been selected for this year's Padma Shri awards. The honours were announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on the eve of Republic Day, celebrating individuals whose lifelong dedication has preserved and promoted unique aspects of Odisha's identity.
Celebrating Linguistic Diversity and Tribal Heritage
The distinguished recipients include renowned linguist Mahendra Kumar Mishra, Santali writer and cultural activist Charan Hembram, Prahallad Natak exponent Guru Simanchal Patro, and master weaver Sarat Kumar Patra. While Hembram and Mishra were recognised in the field of literature and education, Patro and Patra will receive the honour in the arts category, highlighting the diverse ways cultural preservation manifests across disciplines.
Mahendra Kumar Mishra: Champion of Multilingual Education
A pioneer of multilingual education in Odisha, 73-year-old Mahendra Kumar Mishra of Bhubaneswar introduced mother-tongue-based learning for primary grades during his tenure as state coordinator for multilingual education from 1996 to 2010. As a scholar, writer, and folklorist, Mishra has meticulously documented over 32 languages and folk traditions from Odisha and other states, creating an invaluable archive of linguistic diversity.
Mishra's contributions have previously been recognized with honours including the Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award and the prestigious UNESCO International Mother Language Award in 2023. Expressing gratitude for the Padma Shri recognition, Mishra emphasized that he has devoted the last four decades to researching and documenting Adivasi languages, culture, and heritage. "This award is dedicated to the rich tribal culture of our state," he stated, highlighting how the honour celebrates collective cultural wealth rather than individual achievement.
Charan Hembram: Preserver of Santali Language and Script
From Nungan village in Mayurbhanj district, 74-year-old Charan Hembram has spent more than four decades promoting the Ol Chiki script of the Santali language. As both a Santali writer and practitioner of Santali dance and music, Hembram has played a pivotal role in establishing Ol Itun Asra (learning centres) across Mayurbhanj and other districts, creating institutional support for language preservation.
Hembram's influence extends to the educational sphere, where he served as secretary of the government board for Santali education for nearly 12 years and was instrumental in introducing Santali into school curricula. His cultural translation work includes rendering portions of the Ramayana and Mahabharata into Santali for tribal youth, making classical literature accessible while reinforcing linguistic pride. Expressing happiness over the honour, Hembram noted that his lifelong dedication to the Santali language has finally received national recognition.
Guru Simanchal Patro: Guardian of Traditional Folk Theatre
At 98 years old, Guru Simanchal Patro of Bamakei village in Ganjam district represents living heritage as a legendary exponent of Prahallad Natak, a traditional folk theatre form unique to Odisha. For more than six decades, Patro has trained young artistes and established several akhadas (training centres) across Ganjam to ensure the art form's continuity.
His pedagogical legacy is evident in how many of his disciples have themselves become gurus, creating multiple generations of practitioners. Elated at receiving the Padma Shri, Patro expressed hope that the honour would inspire more youngsters to take interest in traditional folk arts, ensuring their survival in contemporary cultural landscapes.
Sarat Kumar Patra: Master of Intricate Weaving Traditions
From Tigiria in Nuapatna, 61-year-old Sarat Kumar Patra has achieved national recognition for his intricate Bandha Kala weaves, particularly the Geeta Govinda and Dasavataar motifs. With over five decades of weaving experience, Patra previously received the National Award for his single-thread Geeta Govinda weave—a masterpiece that required seven years of meticulous work to complete.
Patra's craftsmanship represents the pinnacle of Odisha's handloom tradition, where technical mastery meets artistic vision. Thanking both state and central governments for the recognition, Patra emphasized that the Padma Shri serves as a tribute to the timeless craft of Odisha's weaving heritage, honouring not just individual achievement but centuries of artisanal knowledge.
Preserving Cultural Heritage for Future Generations
These four Padma Shri recipients collectively represent different facets of Odisha's cultural preservation:
- Linguistic documentation and educational reform
- Script preservation and literary translation
- Performing arts transmission through guru-shishya parampara
- Artisanal craftsmanship maintaining traditional techniques
Their recognition underscores how cultural heritage thrives through dedicated individuals who bridge traditional knowledge with contemporary relevance. As Odisha continues to celebrate its diverse identity, these awards highlight the importance of preserving linguistic diversity, tribal traditions, and artistic expressions that define the state's unique character.
The Padma Shri honours not only recognize individual achievement but also validate the cultural ecosystems these practitioners have nurtured—ensuring that Odisha's rich heritage remains vibrant for generations to come.
