Naveen Congratulates Odisha-Born Artist PK Mahanandia on Being Appointed as Art Advisor to Swedish Government

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has congratulated Odisha-born renowned painter Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia on being appointed as Art Advisor to the Swedish Government, stating that his success has brought glory to the entire State.

“Greetings and congratulations to Odia artist PK Mahanandia for his appointment as Advisor to the Art Department of Government of Sweden… His success has brought glory to the entire State. May he achieve more fame in the days to come”, said the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in a Twitter post.

Beating all odds, Mahanandia, who was born in a Dalit family in Angul district, became one of the famous artists in the world. His paintings have been exhibited in major cities of the world and have found places in the prestigious UNICEF greeting cards. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree (Degree of Honoris Causa) from Utkal University of Culture (UUC) in Bhubaneswar. He was also designated as the Odia Cultural ambassador to Sweden by the Government of Odisha.

Mahanandia is famous for his journey by a second hand bicycle from New Delhi to Gothenburg in 1977 to meet the love of his life, Charlotte Von Schedvin.