Nayagarh, September 27: (Report- Sanatan Mahakud): A special event highlighted the powerful role of theater as a tool for social change, not just entertainment. The Odisha Drama Society (Nataka Sangha) organized the program at the Inspire Community Hall in Nayagarh to mark its annual observance day. Guests of honor emphasized that drama holds up a mirror to society, encouraging people to think and reflect. 
Theater for Change: How Drama Drives Social Awareness


The speakers agreed that theater communicates the stories of life directly and emotionally. It connects with the audience's hearts and motivates them to consider new ideas and perspectives. This unique ability makes drama a strong medium for raising social awareness and guiding the community toward positive development.
Several distinguished guests attended the function and shared their insights on the nature of theater and its growth in the Nayagarh region. The Chief Guest was Mr. Debashis Pattnaik, Chairman of the Nayagarh Zilla Parishad. The Guest of Honor was noted educationist and playwright Mr. Shridhar Sahu, and the special invitee was poet Ms. Geetanjali Mahapatra.
The event began with a welcome address by Mr. Sarat Chandra Acharya, the District Coordinator of the Odisha Natya Sangha. Ms. Nilima Nandi efficiently coordinated the entire program.
A major highlight of the day was a series of competitions for +2 and +3 college students. These competitions aimed to encourage young theatrical talent in categories like solo acting, mono-acting, and dialogue delivery.
The organizers announced the winners after careful judgment. In the solo acting category, Abhilipsa Sahu secured first place, followed by Shubhashree Nayak in second, and Biswajit Raut in third. For dialogue delivery, Sagar Behera came first, Rozalin Das second, and Sumit Pal third. In the mono-acting competition, Deepankar Das won first prize, with Shubhashish Das taking second place.
In a special gesture, the judges presented a Special Jury Award to Vidyabijayata Mahanty, a student from Nayagarh Autonomous College, in recognition of her exceptional potential.
The judging panel for these competitions consisted of Mr. Kalia, Mr. Kamakshya Prasad Das, and Mr. Gokul Kumar Sadangi.
A particularly moving performance of the day was a solo act by senior actor Mr. Niranjan Nayak. His performance focused on the problems faced by elderly citizens, touching the hearts of everyone present.
This observance is a major event celebrated across Odisha. The attending artists and drama enthusiasts took the opportunity to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to two key figures in Odisha's theater scene. They praised Mr. Manoj Kumar Pattnaik, the President of the Odisha Natya Sangha and a nationally recognized director, and Mr. Subhakant Padi, a distinguished actor and the Secretary of the Sangha. Their leadership, they said, is vital for promoting and sustaining drama activities throughout the state.
The event concluded on a positive note, reinforcing the belief that theater continues to be a dynamic force for cultural enrichment and social consciousness in the community.