Nalco Award in memory of Odissi Adi Guru Pankaj Charan

19/03/2016

Bhubaneswar, 19/03/2016: Odisha-based Navratna company Nalco is committed towards preserving and promoting the rich culture of Odisha, and in this line, the company, as a responsible corporate citizen, is continuously trying to associate itself with its rich legacy.

“As a tribute to the great Mahari exponent late Adi Guru Pankaj Charan Das, Nalco has decided to institute a State-level Award as his memorial,” said Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD of the company, while inaugurating the 3-day long 22nd edition of Guru Pankaj Utsav at Bhubaneswar yesterday. The award titled ‘Nalco Adi Guru Pankaj Charan Award’ shall carry a purse of Rs.1 lakh, a gold medallion and a citation, which will be handed over to an institution sincerely striving to propagate Odissi, at the next edition of the Utsav.

On the occasion, noted artistes Guru Keshav Chandra Rout (Binakara), Shri Kalindi Parida (Madeli), Smt. Shantilata Barik (Odissi Vocal) and Smt. Pushpita Mukherjee (Odissi Dance) were felicitated by Dr. Chand for their contributions to the cultural heritage of Odissi and Odisha. It may be mentioned that earlier the company had instituted Nalco Kharavela Awards to felicitate Odissi Guru and Odissi Dancer and has also announced scholarships for BPL students learning this art form.

Among others, Shri B.K. Tripathy, former IPS & President of Guru Pankaj Charan Odissi Research Foundation and Guru Sarat Das, Secretary of the Foundation also addressed the gathering.