Bhubaneswar: Noted Odisha-born painter Bijayananda Biswaal better known as Bijay Biswaal has once again made his State proud as he bagged the prestigious Kuncha Kalashri National Award for this year conferred by the Karnataka government.

The 52-year-old was one of the three prominent artists from across the country to receive the coveted award yesterday for outstanding contribution and carving a niche in the field of painting.

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The national level award had three categories such as Senior Kalashri (artists aged above 60), Middle age Kalashri (40-60 age) and Young Upcoming Kalashri (25-40 years age).

Biswaal was felicitated under the middle age category and received a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a citation.

Speaking to OST, the acclaimed painter said it was indeed a matter of pride for him to receive such a prestigious award.

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“What made me so happy is that when they announced my name by taking the name of my birthplace Angul from Odisha,” said an elated Biswaal who is now settled in Nagpur in Maharashtra for the last few years.

He was requested to demonstrate live painting while receiving the award.

The Kuncha Kalashri National Award was instituted by D.V. Halabhavi National Memorial Trust and three renowned painters have been receiving the prestigious award every year, in association with the Culture Department of Karnataka government.

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Hailing from Pallahara in Angul district in Odisha, Biswaal had called it a day from Indian Railways in April this year with an aim to take art and painting to the grassroots.

Known for beautifully capturing trains, platforms and myriad moods of people, Biswaal’s breathtaking art has touched many hearts including none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had praised Biswaal in his popular radio programme ‘Man Ki Baat’ on July 26, 2015 after he sketched Modi as a ‘man among common man’ at a railway station in one of his paintings.

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