Antaranga Kalinga Pratibha Samman – Sheikh Gulzar and Shri Radhakanta Das Honored by the Organization
Cuttack | 01.07.24 (Saswat TV):
Every year, the well-known social organization Antaranga Kalinga of Cuttack honors distinguished individuals from Odisha in the fields of art, education, culture, and social service. This year, two dedicated personalities were felicitated by the institution.
Among the honorees was Sheikh Gulzar Hussain, a rising young actor and filmmaker from the Balipatna region. Born in a culturally rich and renowned village, Gulzar has always credited his land of birth for his talent and creative inspiration, especially drawn from the history of his region and the legacy of his ancestors. He has acted and directed in Odia television serials such as Pratishodh, Jeevana Ranga, and the documentary film Jain Heritage of India. His documentary Shishu Anantanka Gatha (The Legend of Child Ananta) earned prestigious recognition at the international level.
Gulzar is also deeply involved in heritage research and cultural promotion. Notably, he has created a biographical film titled Jayadeva based on the life of the great poet Jayadeva and his birthplace, Kenduli village, which is expected to be released soon. In recognition of his contributions to cinema and cultural preservation, he was honored with the Antaranga Kalinga Pratibha Samman.
The second awardee was Shri Radhakanta Das, a senior educationist and social organizer from Puri. A retired professor, he has dedicated his post-retirement life to social service. He believes that remembering and honoring great personalities is essential to building a meaningful society. Through the platform Utkal Swabhiman Mancha, he has taken the initiative to install statues of revered personalities.
His vision is to introduce school and college students to legendary Odia figures like Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das and Bharatamani Gopabandhu, as well as other regional icons, so that the next generation grows up with awareness and pride in their roots. Shri Das has successfully established more than 1,200 statues of Odia luminaries in over 260 schools across Odisha and remote areas, creating a unique example of reverence and inspiration.
He also aims to commemorate all major contributors to the formation of an independent Odisha by establishing their statues at the regional level. His work continues to inspire youth, students, and social reformers alike to connect with their cultural heritage and identity.
Following the felicitation of these two dedicated individuals, the organization announced its continued intent to identify and honor such distinguished personalities from Odisha in the future.
