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Khallikote Art College to be upgraded

Photo: Lingaraj Panda

Mighty impressed: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik going round the exhibition of paintings at College of Art and Craft at Khallikote on Saturday. –

KHALLIKOTE (Ganjam Dist): Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has declared a special grant of Rs 2 crores to transform the Khallikote College of Art and Crafts into a Centre of Excellence during its golden jubilee celebration on Saturday.

Established as an Art and Crafts School in 1957, it is the oldest institution of its kind in the state. The institute has produced and fostered a generation of talented artists and sculptors of the State, who have national and international acclaim. The golden jubilee celebration was a nostalgic get together for these great talents at the institution.

Noted artist Dinanath Pathy, who was also principal of the institution in the past, was honoured with the ‘Chhatra Gourav Samman’. Several other former students of the institution, who are now well-known artists and sculptors like Siba Panigrahi, Ramahari Jena, Bipracharan Mohanty etc., were also honoured. A statue of Sarat Chandra Deo, the founder principal of the institution was also unveiled by the Chief Minister. Works of alumni and works of present teachers and students of the institution were displayed at Golden jubilee exhibition.

Speaking at the golden jubilee function the Chief Minister promised to upgrade it into Centre of Excellence and preserve its building as a heritage monument. This institution is located in the picturesque palace of the erstwhile king of Khallikote. He said the monthly stipend was increased from Rs 70 to Rs 200 to promote students of art and crafts.

Mr Pathy, who is also chairman of the golden jubilee committee, urged the State Government to name the institution after its founder Sarat Chandra Deo.

State Minister for Culture Suryanarayan Patro, Khallikote MLA Sugnani Deo and State Culture Secretary Gopinath Mohanty also attended the golden jubilee celebration.

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