Odisha announces Dharmapada award for five years

BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Friday announced Dharmapada Award, the highest honour given by the Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi in the field of art for five years from 2016 till 2020.
State tourism and culture mimister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi announced names of five eminent persons from art, who would receive the prestigious award. Eminent painter Mahendra Prasad Mahapatra will receive the award for this year while known pattachitra artist Binod Maharana has been selected for 2019.Similarly, eminent painter Jagdish Chandra Kanungo will receive the award for 2018.
Renowned sculptor Shyam Sundar Patnaik and known painter Banabihari Parida would receive the Dharmapada award for 2017 and 2016 respectively. The Dharmapada award carries cash award of Rs 5 lakh and a citation, said an official source.
The tourism and culture minister also announced names of 25 eminent persons in the field of art for felicitation for five years. Those, who would be felicitated, would also get cash award of Rs 1 lakh and a citation.
The award by the Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi will be given away at a function in the city later.