6th Dinanath Pathy Kala Samman and
4th Dinanath Pathy Memorial Lecture

9 May 2026
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bhubaneswar

Ketaki Foundation Trust successfully organised the 6th Dinanath Pathy Kala Samman and the 4th Dinanath Pathy Memorial Lecture on 9 May 2026 at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, bringing together artists, scholars, cultural thinkers, students and art enthusiasts in a shared celebration of Odisha’s artistic and intellectual heritage. Conceived as an annual tribute to the legendary artist, writer, art historian and cultural visionary Dr. Dinanath Pathy, the event once again became a vibrant platform for dialogue, remembrance and cultural engagement.

This year, the prestigious Dinanath Pathy Kala Samman was conferred upon renowned Ganjapa ChitrashilpiShri Satyanarayana Maharana of Sonepur in recognition of his lifelong dedication towards preserving and continuing Odisha’s traditional Ganjapa art. Through decades of quiet yet committed practice, Shri Maharana has continued to uphold one of Odisha’s most intricate and endangered traditional art forms, carrying forward a legacy deeply rooted in storytelling, craftsmanship and indigenous visual culture. Owing to health relatedreasons, Shri Maharana could not attend the event in person, and the honour was received on his behalf by members of his family.

The evening featured the 4th Dinanath Pathy Memorial Lecture delivered by eminent anthropologist, scholar and former Chairman of the National Monuments Authority of India, Prof. Kishor Kumar Basa. Speaking on the theme “Odishara Kala Sthapatya: Eka Itihasa Tatwika Adhyayana” (Art and Architecture of Odisha: A Historiographical Study), Prof. Basa presented a deeply insightful exploration into Odisha’s rock art, architectural traditions and sculptural heritage. Reflecting upon the extraordinary creative personality of Dr. Dinanath Pathy, he recalled an observation by eminent poet Sitakant Mahapatra: “Sometimes I wondered whether he was more competent in using words or drawing lines and paint. Indeed, he excelled in both.” The lecture opened meaningful conversations on the relationship between art, memory, history and cultural continuity in contemporary times.

Following the lecture, an engaging interaction session continued for nearly thirty minutes, during which members of the audience actively participated in a thoughtful exchange with Prof. Basa. The intellectually vibrant discussion and insightful questions from the audience added a distinctive depth and vitality to the evening, reflecting the growing public engagement with art, heritage and cultural discourse.

Padma Shri Dr. Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi, eminent scientist, former Vice Chancellor of Sambalpur University and distinguished Odissi danseuse, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. In her address, she reflected upon the cultural significance of preserving Odisha’s artistic heritage and shared a few cherished memories of Dr. Dinanath Pathy, lending the evening a deeply evocative and intimate resonance. Remembering him with warmth and admiration, she spoke of his rare aesthetic sensitivity, extraordinary craftsmanship and the quiet grace and sincerity that distinguished his personality, qualities that continue to illuminate his enduring artistic legacy.

The programme was presided over by eminent artist and one of the Founder Trustee of Ketaki Foundation Trust, Shri Ramahari Jena, whose longstanding contribution to contemporary art and printmaking has enriched Odisha’s artistic landscape over several decades. The evening witnessed an engaged and interactive audience comprising eminent personalities from the fields of art, culture, literature and education, alongside young artists and students.

The programme was livestreamed on Facebook, allowing viewers from across India and abroad to participate virtually in this collective celebration of Odisha’s artistic spirit and cultural legacy.

⁠Eminent artist and Founder Trustee of Ketaki Foundation Trust, Shri Ramahari Jena, conducting the proceedings of the 6th Dinanath Pathy Kala Samman and Memorial Lecture 2026.

Eminent anthropologist and scholar Prof. Kishor Kumar Basa delivering the 4th Dinanath Pathy Memorial Lecture on Odisha’s art, rock art traditions and architectural heritage, engaging the audience through his profound historical and cultural insights.

Chief Guest of the evening, Padma Shri Dr. Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi sharing her reflections on art, memory and Odisha’s cultural heritage, while fondly remembering the warmth, aesthetic brilliance and artistic legacy of Dr. Dinanath Pathy.

A section of the attentive and engaged audience comprising artists, scholars, students and cultural enthusiasts during the memorial lecture and interaction session.