Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Acclaimed artist and puppeteer Maguni Charan Kuanr and noted litterateur Antaryami Mishra are among the four from Odisha who will be conferred Padma Shri awards this year. The two other eminent personalities who will be awarded Padma Shri are artist Krishna Patal and agriculturist Patayat Sahu.
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday announced names of 106 personalities from different fields who will be conferred with Padma awards by the President. The list comprises 6 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan and 91 Padma Shri awards.
Kuanr belongs to a family of traditional puppeteers. He was initiated into the art of Kandhei Nach, which employs rod puppets, by his father Baishnab Charan Kuanr.
Padma Awards – one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
