People, Positions and Obituaries · 2 March 2026

Padma Shri Awardee Utsav Charan Das Dies at 80

Exam-focused facts from the 2 March 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • Renowned Odia folk dancer Utsav Charan Das passed away at the age of 80 in Choudwar, Cuttack.
  • He was a celebrated exponent of Odisha's traditional folk dance form known as Ghoda Nacha (horse dance).
  • The Government of India conferred the Padma Shri upon him in 2020 for his six-decade-long dedication to preserving and popularising the dance form.
  • He was also honoured by the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi for his outstanding contribution to traditional performing arts.
  • Born in Tangimania village and raised in Choudwar, he began his journey in Ghoda Nacha while studying in Class 8.
  • He is credited with training generations of artistes and elevating the rural cultural tradition of Ghoda Nacha to national platforms.

View this story in the full daily briefing

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