The esteemed Devdas Chhotray, a distinguished bureaucrat who has transitioned into a celebrated writer, is slated to receive the highly prestigious ‘Sarala Puraskar’ for his compelling short-story collection, ‘Matinee Show’.
This significant honor, awarded annually by the IMFA Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), will be presented during a special ceremony in Bhubaneswar on October 26. The award package includes a generous cash prize of ₹7 lakh, a formal citation, and a commemorative plaque.
Chhotray’s acclaimed work, Matinee Show, was released by Timepass Publication in 2023 and stood out among seven finalists to earn this recognition. In addition to the Sarala Puraskar, IMPaCT also revealed that the annual ‘Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman’ for lifetime achievement in the arts will be bestowed upon the renowned painter Baladev Maharatha and the celebrated musician Guru Ramhari Das. Both of these distinguished artists will receive a certificate, a plaque, and a cash award of ₹2.5 lakh each, acknowledging their profound contributions to their respective fields.