The Padma Awards 2026 have brought national recognition to four remarkable individuals from Odisha whose lifelong dedication has safeguarded some of India’s most fragile yet invaluable cultural traditions. Often working far from the spotlight, these Padma Shri awardees—an educationist, a Santali language scholar, a folk theatre maestro, and a master weaver—represent the spirit of grassroots excellence that keeps India’s heritage alive.
Chosen from among 131 recipients nationwide, the four honourees from Odisha stand out for their contributions to education, tribal language preservation, folk performing arts, and handloom craftsmanship. Their work reflects decades of perseverance, cultural stewardship, and community engagement, making the Padma Shri not just a personal honour, but a recognition of Odisha’s rich and diverse legacy.
Preserving Languages, Preserving Identity
One of the most significant recognitions this year goes to Mahendra Kumar Mishra, a distinguished linguist, folklorist, and educationist from Nuapada district. Over four decades, Mishra has played a transformative role in advancing mother-tongue-based multilingual education, particularly among tribal communities in Odisha.
His work spans the documentation of more than 30 tribal and indigenous languages, oral epics, folklore, and storytelling traditions that were at risk of disappearing. By integrating native languages into early education, he helped improve learning outcomes while strengthening cultural identity among tribal children. His academic and field-based initiatives influenced education policies at both national and international levels, reinforcing the importance of linguistic diversity in inclusive development.
Mishra’s recognition underscores a growing national understanding that language preservation is not merely an academic pursuit, but a foundation for social equity and cultural continuity.
Reviving Santali Language and Tribal Education
Equally significant is the Padma Shri conferred upon Charan Hembram, a Santali researcher, writer, and educator from Mayurbhanj district. For more than four decades, Hembram has worked relentlessly to promote the Santali language and the Ol Chiki script, empowering tribal communities through education and cultural pride.
His efforts were instrumental in institutionalising Santali education in Odisha, from grassroots learning centres to formal academic frameworks. By establishing multiple Santali cultural institutions, composing literature and songs in Ol Chiki, and training teachers, Hembram ensured that Santali was not only preserved but actively practiced by younger generations.
His contribution goes beyond language—it represents the assertion of tribal identity, self-expression, and intellectual autonomy within a rapidly modernising society.
Keeping Folk Theatre Alive Across Generations
At 98, Simanchal Patro stands as a living repository of Odisha’s folk theatre tradition, Prahallada Nataka. Hailing from Ganjam district, Patro devoted more than six decades to sustaining and spreading this centuries-old theatrical form rooted in devotion, music, and storytelling.
Through tireless performances, rigorous training of disciples, and the establishment of akhadas (traditional training spaces), Patro ensured that Prahallada Nataka remained a vibrant, living tradition rather than a forgotten relic. His mastery over classical ragas, folk compositions, and dramatic narration elevated the art form while maintaining its traditional essence.
The Padma Shri acknowledges not only his artistic excellence but also his role as a cultural bridge between generations, ensuring continuity in Odisha’s folk performance heritage.
Weaving Faith, Art, and History
Completing this distinguished group is Sarat Kumar Patra, a master weaver from Nuapatna in Cuttack district—one of Odisha’s most celebrated handloom clusters. Born into a traditional weaving family, Patra carried forward the legacy of Bandha Kala (ikat weaving) while redefining its artistic potential.
His monumental textile creations, including intricate ikat renditions of classical literary works, exemplify the fusion of craftsmanship, devotion, and storytelling. Using natural dyes and painstaking techniques, his textiles are revered not only as garments but as visual manuscripts, some of which are offered during rituals at the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
Beyond personal achievement, Patra has trained numerous artisans, contributing to the economic and cultural sustainability of Odisha’s handloom sector. His recognition highlights the importance of traditional crafts in India’s creative economy.
A Collective Tribute to Odisha’s Living Heritage
The selection of these four Padma Shri awardees reflects a broader national recognition of community-driven cultural preservation. From endangered languages and tribal education to folk theatre and handloom artistry, their work embodies values of patience, discipline, and cultural responsibility.
In honouring them, the Padma Awards reaffirm that India’s progress is deeply rooted in its traditions—and that those who quietly protect these traditions are as vital to the nation as those who innovate its future.
For Odisha, the recognition is a moment of pride and reflection. It celebrates not just individual excellence, but the enduring strength of indigenous knowledge systems, artistic devotion, and cultural resilience that continue to define the state’s identity.