India, Jan. 26 -- This year's Padma awardees from Odisha represent a range of achievements. From a 61-year-old sculptor who created the National Police Memorial to a 72-year-old neurosurgeon who led the team behind the country's first successful craniopagus separation in 2017, to an 80-year-old writer celebrated for her exploration of human relationships and emotions, and a 63-year-old Odissi dancer who brought the classical dance form to global prominence-these individuals embody the spirit of Odisha's rich cultural heritage.

Sculptor Adwaita Charan Garanayak, 61, currently the director general of the National Gallery of Modern Arts, is one of four Padmashri nominees from Odisha.

Known for his iconic sculptures, Garanayak's works inclu...