Berhampur, Jan. 2: Folk artistes Narayan Maharana and Bellamati Dei Harijan, stage art director Kedar Apta and retired anthropology professor Satya Narayan Rath were felicitated today for their contributions to art and culture during the 51st foundation day celebrations of the Berhampur University.

All the four award recipients are from south Odisha. Kedar Apta worked as the stage art director in Ganjam Kala Parishad Berhampur for the past five decades.

"This is a great honour for me. I have worked as an art director in hundreds of stage plays and I have been appreciated for my work. The accolades from the university have given me immense pleasure. I think this is a recognition of my work," she said.

Nawarangpur tribal singer Bellamati Dei Harijan said: "I love tribal people and I love to perform for them. I'm happy that that my efforts for the tribal people have been recognised by the university."

Narayan Maharana of Bhanjanagar, an exponent of animal mask dance, who has held on to the tradition for decades, said: "A lot has to be done for the development of the animal mask dance form."

Vice-chancellor of Berhampur University Rajendra Prasad Das introduced the dignitaries and the chairman postgraduate council, Jayaram Pradhan, to the guests. Governor S.C. Jamir, who addressed the gathering as the chief guest, said the university had always worked to promote the culture of the tribal people in the past 50 years.

"Berhampur University has become a platform of education and culture of south Odisha," Jamir said.