Lipika Singh Darai wins National Award for Odia Film

The award for the Best Debut Director was conferred to Lipika Singh Darai for Odia film ‘Eka Gachha Eka Manisa Eka Samudra’ in non-feature film category at the 60th National film awards announced on Monday in New Delhi. For the second time, Odia girl was selected to receive the national award for her contribution to Odia cinema in Direction.

It might be a jolt to Odia cine industry for not getting National film award in regional film category for last six years, Lipika made Odisha proud for her achievement in Debut Direction. Earlier, Odia film ‘Pooja Pain Phulatie’ directed by Gadadhar Puty was conferred National film award in 2006.

Lipika dedicated the award to her late music teacher. The film’s producer was also lauded for making the film on different and real theme. Both Lipika and Benu Bhushan Vaidya (producer) will receive reward sum of Rs. 75,000 each for the film.

Hailing from Baripada, Lipika is a professional Audiographer. She has received Degree in Audiography from the prestigious Film and Television Institute (FTI) in Pune. She was first selected for national film award for the year 2009 in audiography for Hindi and Mararthi non-feature film ‘Garuda’. Her talent in Film Direction came to light after her name was announced at the National Film Awards for the year 2012 in non-feature film category.

Lipika lives with her husband in Bhubaneswar, where she runs Kui Films, a film organization.