Four Eminent Odias Conferred Padma Shri, Bringing National Honour to the State

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s vibrant cultural, literary and artistic heritage received national recognition as four distinguished personalities from the State were conferred the Padma Shri for 2026. The Union government announced the prestigious civilian awards on Sunday, on the eve of the 77th Republic Day celebrations, marking a moment of pride for Odisha.

According to the official notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Santali author and composer Charan Hembram, eminent linguist and folklorist Mahendra Kumar Mishra, veteran folk theatre exponent Seemanchal Patro, and master Ikat weaver Sarat Kumar Patra have been selected for the country’s fourth-highest civilian award for their exceptional contributions in the fields of literature, education and art.

Charan Hembram, a native of Mayurbhanj district, has played a pioneering role in promoting Santali language and culture. Through the establishment of multiple institutions, he has worked towards institutionalising tribal cultural education and popularising Santali literature and music. For over three decades, Hembram has been actively involved in preserving indigenous dance traditions, with a special focus on empowering women to carry forward these art forms.

Mahendra Kumar Mishra has devoted his life to documenting and preserving Odisha’s rich tribal folklore. His extensive work includes the compilation of myths, epics, proverbs and folk songs of various tribal communities. An author of nearly 30 books on Odia and tribal folklore, Mishra’s research has significantly contributed to the introduction of multilingual education in tribal languages across the State.

From Ganjam district, Seemanchal Patro stands as a towering figure in Odisha’s folk theatre tradition. With more than 80 years of experience, he is widely celebrated for his mastery of Prahlad Natak, a demanding art form that requires expertise in over 300 compositions across 35 Odissi ragas. His lifelong dedication to the theatre has been marked by immense personal sacrifice, including selling a substantial portion of his property to sustain and nurture the tradition.

Sarat Kumar Patra of Tigiria in Cuttack district has emerged as a pioneer in Ikat weaving and natural dye innovation. He has developed more than 50 natural dye shades and revived traditional dyeing techniques that were on the verge of extinction. Through continuous mentoring, he has trained over a hundred young and underprivileged weavers, strengthening rural livelihoods while safeguarding Odisha’s handloom heritage.

Congratulating the awardees, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described the recognition as a proud moment for the entire State. In a message posted on X, he said the selection of Charan Hembram and Mahendra Kumar Mishra in the field of literature and education, and Seemanchal Patro and Sarat Kumar Patra in the field of art, has given Odisha’s art and culture a renewed identity at the national level. He extended his heartfelt congratulations and wished them continued success and service to society.

The Padma Awards, instituted in 1954, are among India’s highest civilian honours and are conferred in recognition of distinguished and exceptional achievements in diverse fields. The recognition of these four Odia luminaries reaffirms Odisha’s enduring contribution to India’s cultural and intellectual landscape, while inspiring future generations to preserve and promote the State’s rich heritage.