Kelucharan, Amjad Ali, Saikia nominated for Sankaradeva awards

GUWAHATI, JAN 3: Internationally acclaimed Odissi exponent Kelucharan Mahapatra, renowned sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and noted film-maker and writer Bhabendra Nath Saikia were among those nominated for the prestigious Srimanta Sankaradeva awards instituted by the government of Assam.

Instituted in 1986, the award carries Rs 3 lakh in cash and a plaque that will be given away by President K.R. Narayanan here in March, an official press note issued here said.

While Mahapatra has been nominated for the award for 1997, Khan and Saikia have been selected for the years 1998 and 1999 respectively. Social activist and Vaishnavite scholar Sonaram Chutiya has been selected for the award for 2000.

One of the most prestigious national awards instituted by the Assam government, its past recipients include Satyajit Ray, Bhupen Hazarika and Gangubai Hangal, among others.