IndianGaurav

Heroes from Odisha

People from the state of Odisha whose work we have profiled.

Showing 25–29 of 29 heroes

SD

Shanti Devi

A Gandhian social worker who spent six decades among Rayagada's tribal people and ran hostels for tribal girls, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021.

  • Padma Shri 2021
  • Odisha
Shyamamani Devi at her home in Cuttack

Shyamamani Devi

An Odissi music vocalist from Cuttack who left film playback singing to revive Odisha's traditional songs, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2022.

  • Padma Shri 2022
  • Odisha
Portrait of Simanchal Patro

Simanchal Patro

A veteran of Prahallad Natak, the masked folk theatre of Odisha, who has acted, sung and taught it since childhood, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2026.

  • Padma Shri 2026
  • Odisha
President Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Padma Shri to Srimad Baba Balia at Rashtrapati Bhavan, 2022

Srimad Baba Balia

An Odisha spiritual teacher whose trust fights superstitions such as witch-hunting and runs a free Sanskrit college; Padma Shri, 2022.

  • Padma Shri 2022
  • Odisha
SS

Sudarshan Sahoo

A Puri sculptor in stone and wood with seven decades of work, founder of a crafts museum and a gurukul for carvers, honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 2021.

  • Padma Vibhushan 2021
  • Odisha