Five Renowned Dancers Honored with the Debadasi National Award
Five renowned classical dancers were honored with the Debadasi National Award at the 17th Debadasi International Dance Festival and New Talent Discovery Program, a three-day event organized by Debadasi Nrutyamandira. The festival, held at Bhanja Kalamanadap, featured acclaimed performers of Indian classical dance forms such as Kuchipudi, Sattriya, Bharatanatyam, and Odissi. On the evening of the event, the audience was captivated by the rhythmic beauty of performances in these various styles, showcasing the richness of Indian classical dance.
For the past seventeen years, Debadasi Nrutyamandira has been committed to promoting Indian classical dance through various initiatives and performances. The awards ceremony, held under the guidance of Jagabandhu Jena, founder of Debadasi Nrutyamandira, was graced by the presence of notable personalities including former Member of Parliament and State Planning Board member Prasanna Pattashani, MLA Shashi Bhushan Behera, cultural scholar Dr. Gadadhar Mahapatra, Odisha Parents’ Association President Prasanna Beshoyi, Dance India Magazine editor Bikram Gouda, Sai Venkatesh, and Bijaya Nanda. These guests presented the awards and lauded Jagabandhu Jena’s persistent efforts in preserving and spreading India’s cultural and artistic heritage.
Classical dancers who were honored included Bhanu Deka, an eminent Sattriya artist; Debashree Majilya from Kolkata, a prominent Bharatanatyam dancer; Kuchipudi exponents Kranti Narayan and Dedipriya Ramabhakta; and Monashree Pathak, a Sattriya performer. Each of them received the Debadasi National Award in recognition of their artistic excellence.
Additionally, artists from the institution led by Guru Debamita Sahu performed stunning group presentations in the Odissi dance form. The Odissi performance featured dancers Nilapadma, Snehansjali Suar, and Ayashree Raut, who also coordinated the event proceedings. The festival not only celebrated exceptional talent but also inspired younger generations to pursue and preserve India’s rich classical dance traditions.
