Manidipa says no to Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

Bhubaneswar: Manideepa Mallick, actress and wife of Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi’s secretary Dhirendranath Mallick, on Monday refused to accept the Akademi Award after allegations over the irregularities in the selection of awardees.

Talking to newsmen here, a visibly upset Mallick said, “I will not accept the award since questions were raised over the selection of awardees.”

Notably, Manidipa found a place in the list of awardees for the year 2014 and 2015 as a theatre artist. But questions were raised over the selection on the ground that Mandipa is the wife of the secretary of the Akademi.

The awards, announced last Wednesday, would be presented at a ceremony to be held here on March 29. The awardees would receive a cash reward of Rs 30, 000, a citation and a memento. The awards are the highest honour for performing arts in the State.