Banamali Maharana

Banamali Maharana (, 16 May 1941 – 17 November 2018) was an Indian classical musician, revered Guru, and master percussionist specializing in the Mardala, a traditional percussion instrument of Odissi music. He is widely recognized for systematizing the Odissi style of Mardala playing and bringing Mardala on par with Tabla of northern India and Ghatam and Mridangam of South India.

Early life and background Maharana was born on 16 May 1941 in Raghurajpur, a heritage village in Puri district, Odisha, known for its extraordinary 'Patta Chitra' paintings. He was born to Suman Maharana and Radhamani Maharana. Even as a child, he was recognized for his talent in percussion instruments. He introduced a seven-year course in Mardala music to Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya before retiring from head of the Mardala department in 1999. He received the Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to Odissi music as a Mardala artist in 1994.

Awards Banamali Maharana received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2003 from President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in recognition of his contribution to Odissi music at a ceremony held in New Delhi on October 27, 2004

National Level Awards National Sangeet Natak Academy Award (2004) Orissa Sangeet Natak Academy Award (1994) Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Samman (2016) D.Lit Award (2012) - Utkal Sanskruti Biswa Vidyalaya Vadya Saraswati (1997–98) Vadya Vidyadhar (1998) Kalinga Kala Samman (1998) Shri Jagannath Purskar (1999) Vadyashree Award (2004) Sanskruti O Sanskruti Sanman (2004) Sinhari Samman (2005) Sanjukata Panigrahi Award (2005) Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Utkal Pathaka Sansad Vadya Sidhi Sadhak Award (2006) Bibidha Bama Sanskrutika Samman (2006) Udra Pankaj Samman Award (2006) Uttkala ATMA (2006) Paramparik Badya Sidha Sadhika (2006) Nada Bramha (2008) Odishi Sangeet Mahosav (2008) Gandharv Samman (2009) Gandharav Kala Samman (2009) Abhimanyu Smruti Sansad (2009) Bharati Nrutya Mandir (2010) Uttkal Pratibha Samman (2011) Satyabadi Samman (2011) Gotipua Dance Festival Award (2011) Rajib Samman (2013) Swaratirth Chandan Prativa Samman (2013) Joyti Kalamandir Samman (2013) Raurakela Basant Samman (2013) Parampara Samman (2013) Anandshree Samman (2014) Gurushree Samman (2014) Guru Singhari Samman (2015) Nrutyayan Samman (2016) Debaprasad Samman (2016) Nrutyangana Samman (2015–16) Kapila Samman (2017) Pracheen Kala Kendra Chandigarh Mardala Maestro Samman (2018) Sangeet Sudhakar Balakrushna Das Memorial Samman (2018)