To encourage the Master craft persons, the Central Government felicitates them with National Award and Merit certificate since 1965. The State government has also been giving State Handicrafts Awards to the Master craft persons of the state since 1973. A Design Competition Award was introduced in the year 1995 to encourage the Master craft persons to develop new designs keeping in view the contemporary taste and demand in the market. The State Government is now giving one Life Time Achievement Award and Three State Awards in Handicraft Sector honoured every year with prize money of Rs.1.00 lakh and Rs.50,000/- respectively.
The state is proud of Padmabibhusan Sj. Raghunath Mohapatra (Stone Carving), Padma Shree Sj. Sudarsan Sahoo (Stone Carving), Padma Shree Sj. Kunja Bihari Meher (Art Textiles) and Padma Shree Sj. Pravakar Moharana (Stone Carving) who have been honoured by the President of India for their achievement in the field of handicrafts. Similarly eleven prominent handicraft artisans of Odisha have been conferred with “Shilpguru” award by Govt. of India.
Life Time Achievement Awardees
| S.N. | Name & Address | Craft | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Padma Bibhusan (Dr.) Raghunatha Mohapatra | Stone Carving | 2012 |
| 2 | Sri Gokula Bihari Pattanaik | Tassar Silk, Pattachitra & Palm Leaf | 2012 |
| 3 | Sri Debaraj Sahoo | Terracotta | 2013 |
| 4 | Sri Binod Moharana | Pattachitra & Palm Leaf Engraving | 2014 |
| 5 | Sri Dinabandhu Mohapatra | Pattachitra & palm Leaf Engraving | 2015 |
| 6 | Sri Pravakar Moharana | Stone Carving | 2016 |
| 7 | Sri Raghunath Mahapatra | Sea Shell | 2017 |
| 8 | Sri Banamali Mohapatra | Pattachitra | 2018 |
| 9 | Padma Bibhushan Dr. Sudarshan Sahoo | Stone Carving | 2019 |
| 10 | Sri Benudhar Mohapatara, Sasana Padia , Old Town Bhubaneswar | Pattachitra & PalmLeaf Engraving | 2020 |
| 11 | Sri Debendra Mishra, At/Po Kundheibenta Sahi ( Near Banamali Temple)Puri | Stone Carving | 2021 |
| 12 | Sri Bijaya Kumar Parida | Pattachitra & Palm Leaf Engraving | 2022 |
