NewzVille Desk
With a spectacular display of grandeur, The Konark Folk Dance Festival was held on April 12, 2026, at the Tamam Kalyan Mandap complex, celebrating Odissi and folk dance with a spectacular display of grandeur.
Organized by the cultural institution Murchana and Odisha Cultural Art Academy in collaboration with the Odisha Culture Department, the festival was presided over by its founder and president, Basant Kumar Das.
Former senior administrative officer Dasharthi Satpathi was the chief guest, Technical Director Doordarshan Kendra Bhubaneswar Basudev Hembram was the keynote speaker, famous satirist Sampada Kumar Rath was the guest of honor, eminent social worker Dr. Trilochana Baral, co-coordinator BJP Cultural Cell Kritibas Rath, cultural researcher and educationist Manmohan Swain, President Bhagwat Tungi Prachar Samiti Odisha Nanguli Baba, Journalist and Environmentalist Gyan Ranjan Biswal were prominent participants.
The organizers expressed their views on the development of folk art and artists and the promotion of art and culture through the festival.
Calling the artists the pride and glory of the state, the guests unanimously agreed that the unique identity of Odia culture must be preserved and safeguarded.
On this occasion, more than 200 artists, dancers, vocalists, actors, social workers and literary figures were felicitated with awards such as Konark Ratna, Dharmapada Smriti Samman, Arkashree Samman etc.
Pradeep Bihari coordinated the stage while Nirakar Maharana proposed the vote of thanks. Vijay Ketan Sahu, Monalisa Sarangi, Divyalisha Nayak, Monalisa Muduli, Pragati Patra, Deepak Behera, Prashant Sethi contributed significantly to the organization of the festival.
