BHUBANESWAR: Shri Gangadhar Rath Foundation on Thursday announced that noted litterateur Ratnakar Chaini will be conferred the Sahitya Bharati Samman for 2016 for outstanding contribution to Odia literature.
Chaini has to his credit more than 60 publications which include numerous short stories and plays.
Similarly, eminent vocalist and playback singer Pranab Kishor Pattanaik shall be given Gangadhar Rath Smaraki Samman for his contribution in the field of music. The award carries a cash prize of `1 lakh and a silver emblem of Sun Temple, Konark.
Similarly, the Bhanuji Rao Smaraki Puraskar shall be awarded to noted poet Saroj Ranjan Mohanty while Binapani Mohanty Katha Sahitya Puraskar will be given to Golap Manjari Kar. Both awards carry cash prize of Rs 25,000 each.
The Subrat Rath Smaraki Puraskar, carrying Rs 10,000, will be awarded to Kamala Sathpathy and Sushant Kumar Nayak.
The awards will be presented by president of Odisha Sahitya Akademi Harihar Mishra on March 19.
Niranjan Padhi will be the chief speaker while Trustee Dr Jayant Rath shall preside over the function.
Among others, Trustee Rath, secretary Susmita Rath, Binapani Mohanty, Amaresh Patnaik, Dr Bijayananda Singh and senior advocate Pitambar Acharya were present at the press conference where the awards were announced.