Three Artists from Odisha to Receive Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar

Bhubaneswar: Three artists from Odisha will be honored with the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar at a special ceremony on Friday.

Arupa Gayatri Panda, an acclaimed Odissi dancer, will receive the award for 2022 in the dance category. Based in Bhubaneswar, Panda began her Odissi journey at a young age and was awarded the Sanjukta Panigrahi scholarship in Class IX. She later trained under renowned guru Gangadhar Pradhan at Odisha Dance Academy, where she further honed her skills and gained recognition for her captivating performances.

In addition, Odissi dancer Debasish Pattnaik will be conferred with the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2023, acknowledging his remarkable talent and contributions to the classical dance form. Alongside Pattnaik, folk dancer and musician Alok Bishoyi will also receive the award for his exceptional work in folk dance and music.

The awardees will be presented with a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a plaque, and an angavastram during a ceremony scheduled for November 22, 2024, at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The awards will be presented by Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, with the event also attended by Sandhya Purecha, Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and Uma Nanduri, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Culture.

The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, instituted by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2006, honors young artists under 40 years of age who have made significant strides in music, dance, drama, folk and tribal arts, and puppetry. The award recognizes the immense talent and dedication of young performers shaping the future of Indian arts.