Padma Vibhushan Awardees of Odisha
The Padma Vibhushan (ପଦ୍ମ ବିଭୂଷଣ) is India’s second-highest civilian award, given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional and distinguished service in various fields such as art (କଳା), public affairs (ଜନସମ୍ବନ୍ଧ), literature (ସାହିତ୍ୟ), science (ବିଜ୍ଞାନ), and social work (ସମାଜସେବା).
Over the years, several remarkable personalities from Odisha (ଓଡ଼ିଶା) have been conferred with this honor, celebrating their contributions to Odisha’s culture (ସଂସ୍କୃତି), society (ସମାଜ), and India’s overall growth.
This post provides a comprehensive overview of the Padma Vibhushan awardees from Odisha and is especially helpful for aspirants preparing for Odisha’s competitive exams like OPSC, OSSSC, OSSC, Odisha Police (ଓଡ଼ିଶା ପୋଲିସ୍), OTET, CT, BED, and other state exams.
Biju Patnaik – Politics and Public Affairs (1992)
- Odisha’s beloved leader and visionary, Biju Patnaik (ବିଜୁ ପଟ୍ନାୟକ), was awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in 1992 for his immense contributions to Indian politics (ରାଜନୀତି) and public welfare (ଜନହିତାର୍ଥ).
- Known as a freedom fighter (ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ସଂଗ୍ରାମୀ) and an influential political figure (ରାଜନୈତିକ ନେତା), he played a key role in Odisha’s development and India’s independence movement.
- His legacy continues to inspire the people of Odisha, and his contributions are celebrated through various public projects and institutions named in his honor.
Gopinath Mohanty – Literature (1981)
- The celebrated Odia novelist Gopinath Mohanty (ଗୋପୀନାଥ ମହାନ୍ତି) was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1981 for his significant contributions to Indian literature.
- Known for his realistic portrayal of tribal life (ଜନଜାତୀ ଜୀବନ) and cultural nuances (ସଂସ୍କୃତିଗତ ସୂକ୍ଷ୍ମତା), his notable works include Paraja and Amrutara Santana.
- His writings explore social issues (ସମାଜିକ ସମସ୍ୟାବଳୀ), human emotions, and the rich traditions of Odisha, making him one of the most revered writers in Odia literature.
Raghunath Mohapatra – Art (2013)
- One of the most respected sculptors (ଭସ୍ତ୍ରଚିତ୍ରକର) of Odisha, Raghunath Mohapatra (ରଘୁନାଥ ମହାପାତ୍ର) was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2013.
- Known for his magnificent temple architecture (ମନ୍ଦିର ସ୍ଥାପତ୍ୟକଳା) and stone sculptures (ପାଥରର ମୂର୍ତ୍ତି), he contributed significantly to the preservation of Odisha’s architectural heritage.
- His advocacy for traditional Odia art forms (କଳାରୂପ) has elevated Odisha’s stone carving artistry to international recognition.
Sitakant Mahapatra – Literature and Education (2011)
- The eminent poet, writer, and literary critic (ସାହିତ୍ୟ ସମାଳୋଚକ) Sitakant Mahapatra (ସୀତାକାନ୍ତ ମହାପାତ୍ର) received the Padma Vibhushan in 2011 for his contribution to literature and education (ସାହିତ୍ୟ ଏବଂ ଶିକ୍ଷା).
- Known for his insight into human emotions (ମାନବୀୟ ଭାବନା) and spirituality (ଆଧ୍ୟାତ୍ମିକତା), Mahapatra has translated many tribal works, preserving and promoting Odisha’s tribal culture (ଜନଜାତୀ ସଂସ୍କୃତି).
Bhikari Charan Bal – Medicine (2020)
- A distinguished physician (ଚିକିତ୍ସକ) and key figure in medical education (ଚିକିତ୍ସା ଶିକ୍ଷା), Bhikari Charan Bal (ଭିକାରୀ ଚରଣ ବଳ) was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2020 for his contributions to public health.
- He dedicated his life to improving healthcare services, especially increasing accessibility and promoting health awareness (ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟ ସଚେତନତା).
Debendra Nath Acharya – Public Affairs (1971)
- A prominent leader (ପ୍ରମୁଖ ନେତା) and advocate for social justice, Debendra Nath Acharya (ଦେବେନ୍ଦ୍ରନାଥ ଆଚାର୍ଯ୍ୟ) received the Padma Vibhushan in 1971.
- Known for his social welfare (ସମାଜସେବା) programs, he focused on empowering the underprivileged (ବଞ୍ଚିତ).
Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi – Art (2010)
Renowned classical vocalist (ଶାସ୍ତ୍ରୀୟ ସଙ୍ଗୀତ ଗାୟକ) and music composer Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi (ପଣ୍ଡିତ ରଘୁନାଥ ପାଣିଗ୍ରାହୀ) was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2010 for his dedication to Odissi music (ଓଡିଶୀ ସଙ୍ଗୀତ), influencing many artists (କଳାକାର).
Dr. Pratibha Ray – Literature and Education (2023)
Dr. Pratibha Ray (ଡ଼ଃ ପ୍ରତିଭା ରାୟ), a renowned Odia novelist (ଓଡିଆ ଉପନ୍ୟାସିକା), received the Padma Vibhushan in 2023 for her literary contributions. Known for her novels like Yajnaseni, she has focused on social justice (ସମାଜିକ ନ୍ୟାୟ) and gender equality (ଲିଙ୍ଗ ସମତା).
| Recipients | Field | Year |
| Dr. Sitakanta Mohapatra | Literature and Education | 2011 |
| Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra | Art | 2000 |
| Shri Raghunath Mohapatra | Art | 2013 |