Bhubaneswar: Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Centre, in collaboration with Sri Sri University, is all set to host the 32nd edition of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival in the Odisha capital here from September 5 to 9.

The award festival is scheduled to be held at Rabindra Mandap in the capital city. 

Significantly, the 32nd GKCM Award Festival coincides with the birth centenary celebration of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, lending this edition a special commemorative significance.

One of Odisha’s most prestigious annual cultural celebrations, the five-day festival honours the enduring legacy of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra while bringing together some of India’s finest exponents of classical dance, music, theatre, and cinema.

The festival is thoughtfully curated under the able guidance of renowned Guru and artiste Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, Director, Srjan, and Dean, Faculty of Arts, Communication and Indic Studies (FACIS), Sri Sri University, whose artistic vision continues to uphold the festival’s commitment to excellence, tradition, and innovation since last 31 years.

 The Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Awards 2026 will be presented to four iconic figures representing India’s diverse cultural milieu. Carrying a cash award of Rs 1,00,000 and a citation, the honour will be conferred upon veteran artistes Sharon Lowen (Odissi Dance), Keshab Chandra Rout (Odissi Music), Dhirendranath Mallick (Theatre), and Mahasweta Ray (Cinema) for their lifetime achievements and immense contributions to their respective fields.

In its second year of institution, the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Kala Samman 2026, instituted for accomplished artistes aged 40–55 years, will honour Agnimitra Behera (Instrumental–Violin) and Sushree Nazia Alam (Vocal Music) with Rs 50,000 and a citation each. The Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman, carrying Rs 25,000 and a citation, will recognise four promising artistes— Vrinda Chadha and Aishwariya Singhdev (Odissi Dance), Nikita Banawalikar (Kathak), and Soumya Ranjan Nayak (Odissi Music–Mardala).

 The festival opens on September 5 with a Hindustani vocal recital by Vidushi Shubha Mudgal, accompanied by Dr. Aneesh Pradhan on Tabla and Sudhir Nayak on Harmonium.

On 6th September, celebrated sarod maestro Pt. Tejendra Narayan Majumdar, accompanied by Satyajit Talwalkar on Tabla, will present a Sarod recital, followed by an Odissi performance by Lipsa Satapathy.

The 7th September evening presents Mārgānātya, a choreographed play titled ‘Saugandhika Haranam’ by Chidākāsh Kalālay Centre, choreographed by Dr. Piyal Bhattacharya, with music by Sayak Mitra. On 8th September, acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent Dr. Janaki Rangarajan takes the stage, followed by a Flute Jugalbandi featuring Abhiram Nanda and Srinibas Satapathy, accompanied by Yashwant Vaishnav on Tabla.

 The festival culminates on September 9 with the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Ceremony 2026, followed by the much-awaited, show-stopping finale by the Srjan Ensemble. The ensemble will present ‘Māti’, inspired by the evocative poem of iconic Odia poet Radha Mohan Gadanayak.

Choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, with music composed by Guru Lakshmikant Palit and script adaptation by the late Jaydev Das, Māti retains the distinct character and vocabulary of traditional Odissi choreography while embracing creative novelty. Enhanced by unique visual embellishments and imaginative choreographic treatment, the production seeks to create a compelling aesthetic experience.