BHUBANESWAR: There is an urgent need to revive the glory of the pilgrim's paradise of Puri as one of the four major spiritual and cultural centres of India.

This was the unanimous opinion of the speakers who addressed the 14th annual `Abhinandanika' awards presentation ceremony in Puri on Sunday.

The speakers included former Union minister for steel and mines B.K.Tripathy who inaugurated the event, eminent dramatist Ramesh Panigrahi, Akademi awardee versatile Odissi vocalist Kasinath Pujapanda, popular film music composer Swarup Nayak, Puri Zilla Parishad chairman Sankarsan Parida and noted actor Dullav Chandra Singh.

Cultural awards

The annual cultural awards are being presented to the people of the state who have made a mark in their respective fields, explained `Abhinandanika' founder secretary Shyam Prakash Senapati.

`Modest endeavour'

"Talents in the field of culture are rarely recognised and honoured in our society. That prompted me to institute these annual awards 14 years ago. It has been my modest endeavour to put Puri prominently in the cultural calendar of the country in future years by hosting a national level cultural festival," revealed Senapati who belongs to the town and is known for his commitment for cultural activities.

Litterateur Upendra Mishra of Puri was conferred the Bishnupriya

Senapati memorial award on the occasion for his lifetime contribution to culture.

The award is meant for the people of Puri, the secretary explained.

Awardees

The other nine awardees included son of legendary Odissi guru Kelucaran Mohapatra and Srjan dance institution director Ratikant Mohapatra for Odissi dance, popular singer T.Shourie (music), Orissa Lalit Kala Akademi awardee painter Prasant Kumar Das (visual art), columnist Sailendra Dwivedy, poet Pritidhara Samal, national award winner children's litterateur Batakrushna Ojha, Kuna Tripathy (acting) and child artiste Akankshya Kabi who has already been popular with three films.

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