Ace poet, lyricist and film producer Gulzar has received the coveted Akshaya Samman for 2008 by Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare on the occasion of the 10th annual Akshaya Utsav at Utkal Mandap open-air auditorium on Saturday.
 
After receiving the award, Gulzar said, “I can only try to do what the much loved Khoka Bhai had done in the field of music, writing and philosophy.”

“But I do not think I can go beyond half of what he had achieved.”

The first Akshaya Samman was awarded to legendary playback singer Manna De.

The special award, which is given to a well-known personality for life time contribution in the field of music or literature, comprises a cash award of Rs 1 lakh and a citation.
 
Akshaya Samman is organised annually by the Akshaya Mohanty Foundation to honour the legacy of the legendary Oriya composer, singer and writer Akshaya Mohanty,

The presentation of Akshaya Samman was followed by awarding the State-level winners of the Akshaya Sangeet competition.

The winners also sang the songs or composed or penned by the late legendary singer Akshaya Mohanty.

The performance by the winners was accompanied by dance drama Randipua Ananta set to songs composed by Akshaya Mohanty and directed by popular actor-director Choudhury Bikash Das.