https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Simanchal_PatroSimanchal Patro - Revision history2026-10-21T08:52:32ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Simanchal_Patro&diff=535925&oldid=prevSvetlanazrc: Started new info2026-04-25T13:25:04Z<p>Started new info</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian performing artist (born 1927)}}<br />
{{Infobox musical artist<br />
| honorific_prefix = <br />
| name = Simanchal Patro<br />
| image = Guru Simanchal Patro, Prahallada Nataka.jpg<br />
| image_size = <br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = Patro at his village Bamakei, 2020<br />
| birth_name = <br />
| alias = <br />
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1927|2|2|df=yes}}<br />
| birth_place = Bamakei, [[Ganjam district]], [[Odisha]], [[India]]<br />
| origin = <br />
| death_date = {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}}<br />
| genre = [[Prahallada Nataka]]<br />
| occupation = <br />
| instrument = <br />
| years_active = <br />
| label = <br />
| website = <br />
| associated_acts = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Simanchal Patro''' (Odia: ସୀମାଞ୍ଚଳ ପାତ୍ର; born 2 February 1927) is an Indian performing artist and exponent of ''[[Prahallada Nataka]]'', a traditional ritual theatre form of Odisha. He is best known for his portrayal of the lead character Hiranyakasipu, a role he has performed for over five decades. Patro is a recipient of the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] (1990)<ref name=":1" /> and is widely credited with preserving and popularizing the ''Prahallada Nataka'' tradition in the [[Ganjam district]]. He has been selected for the [[Padma Shri]] in January 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Padma Awards 2026 honour unsung heroes from across India; list announced on Republic Day eve |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/padma-awards-2026-honour-unsung-heroes-from-across-india-list-announced-on-republic-day-eve20260125170002 |access-date=2026-01-25 |website=www.aninews.in |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Early life ==<br />
Simanchala Patro was born on 2 February 1927 in the village of Bamakei (Bomakei) in the Digapahandi block of Ganjam district, Odisha.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Rath |first=Shantanu Kumar |title=Odia Lokanatya Parampara O Prahlada Nataka |publisher=Orissa Book Store |year=2021 |isbn=9788174003409 |edition=2nd |location=Cuttack |pages=224-5 |language=or |script-title=or:ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଲୋକନାଟ୍ୟ ପରମ୍ପରା ଓ ପ୍ରହ୍ଲାଦ ନାଟକ |trans-title=Odia Folk Art Tradition and Prahallada Nataka}}</ref> He was born to Sura Patro and Bangari Debi. His family had a traditional affinity for the arts; his father, Sura Patro, was also a ''Prahllada Nataka'' guru and artist.<br />
<br />
== Artistic areer ==<br />
=== Training ===<br />
Patro's father trained him in Prahallada Nataka, and Patro learned the initial role of Prahallada and later the songs of the ''Sutradhara''. He later underwent rigorous training for 20 years under second-generation ''Prahallada Nataka'' masters, including Sri Kora Patra, Sri Laxman Satapathy, and later Sri Trinath Pradhan.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |url=https://www.sangeetnatak.gov.in/public/uploads/awardees/docs/1749469766_Simanchal.pdf |title=Akademi Awards 1990 |date= |publisher=[[Sangeet Natak Akademi]] |year=1990 |location=New Delhi |pages=30 |language=en |access-date=2026-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260125141128/https://www.sangeetnatak.gov.in/public/uploads/awardees/docs/1749469766_Simanchal.pdf |archive-date=2026-01-25}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Under their tutelage, he mastered various aspects of the art form, including dialogue delivery, ''Raga'' (melodic framework), ''Tala'' (rhythm), ''Thani'' (stylized poses), and acting techniques. <br />
<br />
=== Performance ===<br />
Patro rose to prominence at the age of 20 when he performed the lead role of ''Hiranyakashipu'' in a play organized in his village, Bamakei. He established the ''Lakshmi Nrusimha Natya Kala Sansad'' troupe in his village Bamakei and taught several students at his ''akhada''.<ref name=":0" /><br />
<br />
He is renowned for his powerful vocal ability and physical stamina. ''Prahlad Natak'' performances traditionally last up to 12 hours, requiring the protagonist to sing over 300 songs composed in more than 35 ragas of classical [[Odissi music]]. Patro's high-pitched, sonorous voice and commanding stage presence made his portrayal of the demon king definitive, earning him the moniker "The Hiranyakashipu" in the region.<ref name=":1" /> He has performed extensively across India, including in major cities like Delhi, Calcutta (Kolkata), and Madras (Chennai).<ref name=":0" /><br />
<br />
== Contribution and legacy ==<br />
Patro played a significant role in the preservation of ''Prahallada Nataka'' amid the decline of traditional folk arts. To ensure the continuity of the tradition, he established several ''akhadas'' (traditional training centers) across the Ganjam district, including in Nalabanta, Humma, Khajipalli, Sundhipalli, Padmapur, and Badagada.<ref name=":0" /><br />
<br />
== Awards and recognition ==<br />
<br />
* 1990: [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]], presented by the President of India for his contribution to ''Prahlad Natak''. <ref>{{cite book |last1=Sinha |first1=Biswajit |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Theatre |date=2004 |publisher=Raj Publications |isbn=978-81-86208-35-9 |page=359 |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
[[Category:Padma Shri Award]]<br />
[[Category:1927 births]]<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:People from Ganjam district]]</div>Svetlanazrc