8 awarded with Shilpi Mahasamman and Shilpi Samman

Kolkata: Eight veteran painters and sculptors were awarded with Shilpi Mahasamman and Shilpi Samman at the inauguration of Paschim Banga Charukala Utsav on Friday.

Partha Chatterjee, the state Education minister, Indranil Sen, Minister of State of Information and Cultural Affairs department were present at the inaugural function of the programme.

Chatterjee said: "The

painters and sculptors who are being felicitated today have made the country proud of their work. Besides felicitating the

veterans, steps have also been taken to motivate young sculptors and painters."

Sen extended his gratitude to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for taking all necessary steps to ensure betterment of the art and culture of the state.

The Shilpi Maha Samman has been conferred up on painter Dhiraj Chowdhury, Lalu Prasad Shau, Ramananda Bandyopadhyay and Amal Ghosh whereas Nilima Dutta, Nikhilesh Das, Sunil Kumar Das and Manoj Mitra have been awarded with Shilpi Samman.

The young artists, who have participated in the Charukala Exhibition, have also been awarded. The award was given out by Chatterjee and President of Charukala Parshad Jogen Chowdhury.