Bhubaneswar: The historic Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar witnessed a grand and heartfelt homage to the legacy of former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji, as the two-day festival “Atalnama” started with excitement. Organized by Nrutyadham, in association with Ministry of Culture ,Govt of India ,New Delhi the two day event brought together a diverse audience, including dignitaries, artists, intellectuals, and the public, to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of the beloved leader.
Day 1st of the event began with a captivating Exhibition, “Atalnama,” curated by Guinness World Record Holder Shashanka Sekhar Dash (Paperman India), which attracted large crowds. The day was filled with enchanting Odissi vocal and dance performances by renowned institutions including Suravi, Bharati Nrutya Mandir, Saranchana Berhampur, and Mirambika Fine Arts & Music College, showcasing the rich cultural heritage that Shri Vajpayee championed.
The final evening saw Shri Krushna Chandra Patra, Hon’ble Minister of Housing & Urban Development, presiding as Chief Guests. The grand finale was a powerful theatrical performance, “Rashtra Purush Atal,” written by Biswanath Pati and directed by Dhira Mallick of Satabdira Kalakar, which movingly depicted the life and times of the great leader.
A pinnacle of the event was the conferment of the “Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji Award” upon Jagannath Pradhan, BJP Leader, Odissi exponent Dr. Snehaprava Samantaray and Padmashree Guru Sri Durga Charan Ranbir and Shri Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, Former Governor of Andhra Pradesh. The award recognized their outstanding contribution to preserving and promoting India’s classical dance traditions, embodying the cultural excellence and national pride deeply cherished by Shri Vajpayee.
“The overwhelming response to ‘Atalnama’ has been deeply moving,” said Dr. Subhashree Pattnaik of Nrutyadham. “We set out to create an event that was not just a commemoration, but a living, breathing celebration of Atal Ji’s ideals—from democracy and development to poetry and culture. We are humbled and grateful to all the guests, artists, and attendees who made this tribute a fitting one.” On this occasion, Ms. Rajashree Pattnaik conducted the program on behalf of Nrutyadham.
The event successfully served as a powerful reminder of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s enduring vision for a progressive, inclusive, and strong India, inspiring a new generation to carry his legacy forward.