Prahlad Natak veteran Simanchal receives Padma Shri
Berhampur: In a proud moment for Odisha’s rich folk heritage, veteran Prahlad Natak artiste and dance guru Simanchal Patra (97) of Bamokei village in Ganjam district received the prestigious Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu at a special ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday. The honour recognises his lifelong dedication to preserving and promoting the traditional folk theatre form, Prahlad Natak, in which he earned acclaim for his iconic portrayal of King Hiranyakashipu.
A native of Bamokei under Digapahandi block, Simanchal began his artistic journey at the age of six, learning Sakhi Nacha and Odissi dance under guru Narasimha Pradhan. Inspired by his father, Sura Patra, a folk theatre performer, he first excelled in the role of Prahlad before becoming renowned for portraying Hiranyakashipu, a role that earned him the popular title of “Raja Simanchal.”
Over several decades, he mastered the intricate traditions of Prahlad Natak under the guidance of gurus Trinath Pradhan and Laxman Satapathy, contributing immensely to the preservation of the centuries-old art form. His performances won acclaim across Odisha and beyond.
Simanchal’s contributions had earlier been recognised with the President’s Award from the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1990 and the Lokanatya Samman from the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1997.
The Padma Shri announcement has sparked celebrations across Digapahandi and the wider Ganjam region, with cultural enthusiasts hailing the honour as a fitting tribute to one of Odisha’s finest custodians of folk theatre.
Besides Simanchal, the President conferred Padma Shri award on two other eminent personalities from Odisha. Charan Hembram, a native of Nuagaon village in Mayurbhanj district, was awarded the Padma Shri in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the promotion and preservation of the Santali language and literature.
His visionary work has played a vital role in preserving indigenous literature and keeping traditional tribal culture alive.
Hailing from Tigiria in Cuttack district, Bandha artiste Sarat Kumar Patra achieved national recognition for his mastery of intricate Ikat weaving and traditional fabric ornamentation.
He is renowned for his monumental 8-by-8 feet Dash-Avatar Ikat wall hanging, which beautifully depicts Lord Vishnu’s 10 incarnations alongside verses from the Gita Govinda.