Balasore, :(Krushna Kumar Mohanty) The prestigious ‘Sarala Puraskar’, given annually by the IMFA Charitable Trust (IMPACT) for the best literary achievement, will be presented this year to the famous poet & writer Devdas Chhotray for his short-story collection ‘Matinee Show’ published by Timepass Publication in 2023. The award ceremony will take place in Bhubaneswar on October 26, wherein the writer will be presented with a citation, plaque and award amount of Rupees Seven Lakhs.
Seven books that made it to the final round of judging were Devdas Chhotray’s short-story collection ‘Matinee Show’, Aparnna Mohanty’s poetry collection ‘Aparnna Mohany Mananka Pain Kabita’, Mamata Dash’s poetry collection ‘Bhumi Sparsha’, Padmaj Paul’s novel ‘Sita Mun Sita’, Padmaj Paul’s short-story collection ‘Dahana Pada Bama Pada’, Ashutosh Parida’s poetry collection ‘Biswas De Pruthwi’ and Bijay Kumar Satpathy’s play ‘Andharara Bibhishika’.
Durgaprasad Panda, Krushna Kumar Mohanty, Pabitra Mohan Dash, Shrideb, Dr Shakti Mohanty comprised the Book Shortlisting Committee, while the esteemed panel of Jury comprised of Prakash Mohapatra, Pabitra Panigrahi, Dhananjay Swain, Paramita Satpathy, Susmita Bagchi, Dr Pravina Mohanty and Surya Mishra.
Besides this, the ‘lla-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman’, given every year by IMPACT for lifetime excellence in the field of art, has also been announced for the year 2025. Famous painter Baladev Maharatha and renowned Guru Ramhari Das will be given the award this year. As part of the award, both will be given a certificate and a plaque with an amount of Rupees Two Lakhs Fifty Thousand each. The selection process involved esteemed judges, Dr. Adyasa Das, Sujata Mohapatra, and Sangita Panda for the performing arts section, and Panchami Manoo Ukil, Sudarshan Patnaik, and Pradosh Swain for the visual arts section.
The Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPACT), founded by Mrs. Ila Panda and Dr. Bansidhar Panda in 1980, has been instrumental in promoting Odia literature and the state’s rich cultural heritage of art, music, and dance. IMPACT also instituted the Ekalabya Puraskar in 1993, which has become one of the most prestigious sports awards in Odisha, drawing parallels with several national awards.
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