99-Year-Old Folk Artist Simanchal Patro Honored with Padma Shri Award

• Veteran folk artist Simanchal Patro, 99, expressed happiness over being selected for the Padma Shri award.
• Patro is recognized for his lifelong dedication to preserving and promoting 'Prahallada Natak', a unique Odia art form.
• 'Prahallada Natak' narrates the story of Vishnu’s Nrusingha avatar through songs, dance, and acrobatics, rooted in Ganjam district, Odisha.
• He also excelled in the Sakhi Nata folk theatre tradition, starting his training at age 12.
• Three other individuals from Odisha – Mahendra Kumar Mishra, Charan Hembram, and Sarat Kumar Patra – will also receive Padma Shri 2026.

Why It Matters: 99-year-old folk artist Simanchal Patro receives Padma Shri for preserving Odia art and culture.