BHUBANESWAR: The esteemed Buddha Samman, instituted by Orissa Dance Academy to honour a prominent cultural personality, was conferred on Odissi music guru Pandit Gopal Chandra Panda at the ongoing 17th Dhauli-Kalinga Mahotsav on Sunday. The Samman carries a plaque, angavastra and a cash award of Rs. 1 lakh.

Four eminent personalities from the field of culture were also presented the Guru Gangadhar Pradhan Smruti Samman. They are Veena exponent and music composer K. Ramarao Patra, Odissi dancer Snehaprava Samantray, journalist and dance critic Shyamahari Chakra and sound designer-music arranger Tarakanta Panda (posthumously).

The memorial award carried a plaque, angavastra and a cash award of Rs. 25,000 each.

The dignitaries who inaugurated the second evening of the festival and presented the honours included Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister, Science & Technology, Public Enterprises, Social Security & Empowerment; Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Shreemaye Mishra, Chairperson, Odisha Tourism Development Corporation. Festival Director and Orissa Dance Academy secretary Aruna Mohanty was also present on the occasion. The three-day event concludes on Monday.

The first presentation of the evening was Odissi by Art Vision troupe from Bhubaneswar led by its founder Ileana Citaristi.

Chennai-based eminent Bharatanatyam exponent Anita Guha?s Bharatatanjali ensemble staged the second presentation followed by the concluding presentation of Purulia Chhau dance by Kalipada Chhau Nritya Samity from Purulia led by its director Susanta Mahato.

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