02/09 Bhubaneswar: Padmashri Dr Rajat Kumar Kar was not only an extraordinary orator of Odia culture but also a brilliant literary figure, writer, historian, playwright, poet and actor. He established himself as a unique servant of the Lord by narrating the world-famous Rath Yatra of Shri Jagannath from 1959 to 2022. His extraordinary oratory in Odia language, literature and culture and commanding voice spoke at the world stage about Odisha which made him forever a revered Cultural Icon of Odisha, the guests at the 93rd birth anniversary celebration of Padma Shri Rajat Kumar Kar expressed their opinion. The chief guest at the Jayanti celebrations of Shri Kar, held under the patronage of former Director General of Police, Odisha Shri Manmohan Prahraj and organized by Odisha Sahitya Academy and Padma Shri Rajat Kumar Kar Smriti Sansad, was Honorable Justice Shri Shashikant Mishra, who described Dr Kar as an extraordinary orator of Odia literature describing to be a household name of every odia. The nation will always be indebted to Padma Shri Kar for his role in promoting Pala literature and culture and preserving Pala characters. Rajat Kumar Kar was a unique orator in explaining Odia language literature, especially Bhanj literature and Ancient and Medieval Ages literature, said the keynote speaker, Dr Satyanarayana Acharya, Vice Chancellor of Odia University and Utkal University of culture. While Padma Shri Rajat Kumar Kar gave a description of the Rath Yatra, it was recalled that he experienced the divine presence within him. His inspiration and efforts opened up many new horizons in the study of Sri Jagannath culture, said the honored speaker, Pandit Padmanabh Tripathi Sharma. Former MP Dr Prassanna Pattasani remembered Dr Kar for his unique ability to connect with the masses that was rare for non political leaders of Odisha. On this occasion, the first Padma Shri Rajat Kumar Kar Memorial Award “Sanskriti Purush Samman” was presented to Er Chandrasekhar Nanda for his life-long contribution in the field of literature and culture, along with a citation and a cash award. Rajat Kar’s two invaluable books ‘Biplabi Odia Veer’ and ‘Janamansare Bhanja’ were released by the guests. On behalf of Smriti Sansad, Dr. Ansuman Kar informed about the activities of Smriti Sansad to publish the timeless works of Padma Shri Kar and to preserve the language literature inspired by his ideals. While Mr. Ranjit Kar offered the vote of thanks, Dr. Anup Martha read the Mansarni. Senior scholar Nagendra Kumar Mahapatra recited Vedas and poems on this occasion. Singer Bhushan Shri Jogendranath Martha and his companions performed the pala. Kalinga Bharati President Shri Parvatava Kumar Nanda felicitated the singer and his associates. Many eminent singers, literary editors and researchers present at the meeting discussed the multifaceted talent of the late Padma Shri Rajat Kar, who is full of education, literature, music and creativity. While Smt. Sagarik Prahraj and Dr. Rajiv Kar moderated the meeting, Nivedita Kar, Debasmita Mohapatra and Ansumita, Dr. Upendra Nayak, Shri Pitavas Rautray, Smt. Tapaswini Kar, Shri Ashok Kumar Dash, Dr. Deepak Raj, Amulya Kumar Swain, Pradeep Kar, Shri Hrishikesh Behera, Devi Ranjan Dhar, Jnanaranjan Nanda etc. members of Smriti Sansad contributed while many intellectuals and Rajat lovers and literary enthusiasts were present.