Dhenkanal: The two-day-long 10th edition of Saptasajya Festival, organised by Devanshi Dance Academy at Mini Stadium, Dhenkanal, concluded on December 29.
This year, while some eminent personalities were felicitated for their contributions to the art world and society, a diverse array of cultural programmes were presented.This year’s Saptasajya Samman was conferred upon Padma Shri recipient noted Odissi dancer Ramli Ibrahim from Malaysia, cine actor Niranjan Pati, cine actress Saraswati Devi, Odissi dancer Gurus Dr Snehaprava Samantray and Ratikant Mohapatra were felicitated with Lifetime Achievement Award.
Similarly, actress Bidusmita Mantri, actress Jagruti Rath, singer Kuldeep Pattanayak, singer Barnali Hota and Odissi dancer Pankaj Kumar Pradhan were awarded with Saptasajya Yuva Pratibha Samman.Two transgenders-Priyanshi Das and Joya Tripathi were also felicitated for their social services.At the same time, some local personalities like Snigdha Nanda, Arabinda Sahu and Kavita Sahu were honoured for their works in the fields of music, theatre and social service respectively.
This year, art lovers were treated with some scintillating performances. The artistes of Biswanath Sangeetalaya, Cuttack, presented a group Odissi recital, artistes of Banisheee Kalaniketan from Malkangiri, some transgenders from Puri did a ramp show, Kuldeep Pattanayak and Barnali Hota entertained music lovers with some melodious songs, transgenders from Puri presented fashion show ‘Sambalashree Fashion’ and artistes of host institution Devanshi Dance Academy presented Odissi, folk and modern dances.
While the inaugural evening had Dhenkanal district Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman of PG Council Odisha University Satyabadi, Puri Prof Dr Anant Kishore Jena, former adviser of the Higher Education Department Dr Tanmay Swain, founder of Seva Prayas Foundation and social worker Linkan Subudhi and film director and producer Ramesh Barik as esteemed guests; Amarjyoti Singhdeo, Yuvaraj of Dhenkanal, Smt Minal Kumar Singhdeo, Yuvarani of Dhenkanal, ex-MP of Dhenkanal Mahesh Sahoo, Additional Director General and Chief of Medical Services Dr Rajendranath Samantaray, Works Manager of UAL, Odisha, Khirod Kumar Behera, Chairman of Aditya Vahini Govardhan, Puri and researcher of Jagannath culture Pandit Matruprasad Mishra, data scientist from Japan Kalipada Tripathi, lecturer at Kakatpur Women’s College and social activist Amiyabala Parida and social activist Amulya Samantaray graced the concluding evening as esteemed guests.
The emcee of both evenings was Dr Mrutyunjay Rath.
The man behind the festival is Odissi dancer and guru Gourishankar Dash, the founder of Devanshi Dance Academy.
