KARTIK RATH

About: 

• He had penned over 100 plays and directed over 500 plays. He introduced pioneering innovations in Odia drama as far as direction, script and stagecraft is concerned.
  
  
• Rath single-handedly organised one of the biggest theatre festivals in the world - India Theatre Olympiad - in Cuttack for the last two decades. The Olympiad came to become a prestigious feature in the world amateur theatre calendar.
  
  
• To popularise Odia theatre in the country, he formed Utkal Yuva Sanskrutika Sangh in Cuttack which took part in theatre fests across the country.
  
  
• He was a recipient of prestigious awards like Kendriya Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award.