Bhubaneswar, Jan 26: Four persons from Odisha including a 105-year-old Krishna Leela singer have been selected for the Padma Shri award for their contribution to the field of Art.

The four are – Gopinath Swain, Bhagabat Padhan, Binod Maharana and Binod Kumar Pasayat.

Gopinath Swain (105), a Krishna Leela Singer from Ganjam district of Odisha, has dedicated his life to preserve and promote the tradition.

Bhagabat Padhan (85) is an exponent of the Sabda Nrutya folk dance from Bargarh district of western Odisha. He has taken the dance form beyond the temples.

Sambalpuri folk lyricist and poet, Binod Kumar Pasayat (87) has written several popular songs in Sambalpuri language .

Binod Maharana, a resident of Khordha district, is a master Painter and Pattachitra artist. Born in 1945, Maharana is a recipient of National Award (All India Handicrafts Board, New Delhi in 1974), Viswakarma Citation in 1983 and the State Lalit Kala Akademi, 1983.

The highest civilian awards were announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on the eve of the 75th Republic Day celebrations, on Thursday. The President has approved the conferment of 132 Padma Awards including five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 110 Padma Shri Awards.

Taking to X, Union Education and Skill Development Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who hails from Odisha, congratulated the four personalities on being conferred with the prestigious Padma award.

"Heartiest congratulations to Shri Bhagabat Pradhan, Shri Gopinath Swain, Shri Binod Maharana and Shri Binod Kumar Pasayat on being conferred with the prestigious #PeoplesPadma. These grassroot champions are Odisha’s and India’s pride," he wrote on X.

Heartiest congratulations to Shri Bhagabat Pradhan, Shri Gopinath Swain, Shri Binod Maharana and Shri Binod Kumar Pasayat on being conferred with the prestigious #PeoplesPadma. These grassroot champions are Odisha’s and India’s pride.

Salute their efforts to serve and preserve…
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 25, 2024

Pradhan thanked President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for recognising and honouring the excellent work of the human capital of Odisha.

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