Friday, Jul 26, 2024 00:15 [IST]
Last Update: Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 18:35 [IST]
GANGTOK, : Sikkim Akademi, an autonomous body
under State Culture department, announced on Thursday the introduction of an
annual award to honour outstanding contributions in various spectrum of
artistic genres including music, literature and visual arts.
The ‘Sikkim Akademi Award’ will include
a plaque, a shawl and a monetary prize of Rs. 1,05,000. Young painter Sewon Rai
from Sichey, Gangtok has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Sikkim
Akademi Award.
Rai, who completed his MFA specializing
in painting from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata in 2017, has participated
in numerous national-level painting workshops and exhibitions, winning several
awards. His selection was based on recommendations made by a three-member jury.
The award presentation ceremony is
tentatively scheduled for August.
Sikkim Akademi president S.R. Subba,
while announcing the award at a press conference, stated: “There is a provision
in our constitution to honour outstanding works, contributions in different
fields of art and literature. Starting this year, Sikkim Akademi Award will be
conferred every year. We are presenting the award to artist Sewon Rai this
year. Next year, we might present the award in the literature category.”
In addition to the award, the Sikkim
Akademi has decided to observe “Librarian Day” on August 12 for the first time.
The press conference was also addressed
by Sikkim Akademi secretary (adm) P.L. Sharma and general secretary Purna
Yonzon.
