Eminent litterateur Devdas Chhotray honoured with 2025 Sarala Puraskar

Eminent poet and writer Devdas Chhotray was conferred with this year’s prestigious Sarala Puraskar on Sunday. The award was presented at a grand literary ceremony held in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

Chhotray was selected for the prestigious award for his short-story collection ‘Matinee Show’ published in 2023. He received a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh, along with an uttariya (shawl), citation, and plaque at the grand literary ceremony.

In addition, renowned painter Baladev Maharatha and noted Odissi music guru Ramhari Das were honoured with the Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman for lifetime excellence in art. Both received a cash prize of Rs 2.5 lakh each, along with a citation and plaque.

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"My father had bagged the award 25 years back. I remember IMFA giving him the award in Delhi. It's a prestigious award. I am blessed to bag the award," said an elated Devdas Chhotray.

"Those who know me, also know that Sir bagged the award because of his contribution in the field of Odissi song, let them also be inspired, encouraged and bag awards. Let them perform and enrich Odissi song across the country and abroad and bag bigger honours," said Ramhari Das.

"I feel honoured to receive the award. It will definitely encourage the younger generation to march ahead. I believe that they will be inspired to move ahead in this field," said Baladev Maharatha.

The prestigious Sarala Puraskar and the Ila-Banshidhar Panda Kala Samman are presented annually by the IMFA Charitable Trust (IMPaCT) to recognise outstanding contributions in the fields of Literature and Art.