Odisha’s Unsung Cultural Contributors Win Padma Shri

Four eminent personalities who shaped Odisha’s linguistic, tribal and artistic heritage have been selected for the Padma Shri this year. The honours, announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on the eve of Republic Day, recognise decades of grassroots work in literature, education and traditional arts. The awardees include a linguist, a Santali writer, a folk theatre exponent and a master weaver, each known for preserving and promoting indigenous knowledge systems.

Linguistic Scholarship and Multilingual Education

Renowned linguist “Mahendra Kumar Mishra” has been awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to literature and education. A pioneer of multilingual education in Odisha, Mishra introduced mother-tongue-based learning for primary students during his tenure as state coordinator for multilingual education from 1996 to 2010. Over four decades, he documented more than 32 languages and folk traditions across Odisha and other states. His work earned national and international recognition, including the Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award and the UNESCO International Mother Language Award in 2023.

Santali Language and Tribal Cultural Revival

Santali writer and cultural activist “Charan Hembram” has been honoured for his lifelong efforts to promote the Santali language and Ol Chiki script. A resident of Mayurbhanj district, Hembram spent over four decades establishing Ol Itun Asra learning centres and served as secretary of the government board for Santali education for nearly 12 years. He was instrumental in introducing Santali in school curricula and translated sections of the Ramayana and Mahabharata to make them accessible to tribal youth.

Folk Theatre and Handloom Excellence

Veteran artiste “Guru Simanchal Patro”, a legendary exponent of Prahallad Natak, has been recognised in the arts category. For more than 60 years, he trained generations of performers and set up akhadas across Ganjam district to sustain the folk theatre tradition. Master weaver “Sarat Kumar Patra” from Nuapatna is known for his intricate Bandha Kala weaves, especially the Geeta Govinda and Dasavataar motifs. His single-thread Geeta Govinda weave, completed over seven years, earlier won the National Award.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Padma Shri is India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
• Mother-tongue-based education improves early learning outcomes.
• Ol Chiki is the script used for the Santali language.
• Prahallad Natak is a traditional folk theatre form of Odisha.

Preserving Odisha’s Living Heritage

The selection of these four awardees highlights national recognition for community-driven cultural preservation. From documenting endangered languages to sustaining folk theatre and handloom traditions, their work reflects Odisha’s diverse heritage. The Padma Shri honours not only individual excellence but also the enduring value of indigenous knowledge and artistic traditions in contemporary India.