Bhubaneswar: Elaborate arrangements are being made to celebrate ‘Chhena Poda Dibasa’ in a grand way in Odisha capital on April 11.
A host of programmes will be organised jointly by Nayagarh Vikas Manch and Odia Media Private Limited to celebrate Chhenapoda Diwas and step up campaign for getting GI tag for the famous Odisha sweet dish.
Addressing a press meet, the organisers said the main event will be held at Jaydev Bhavan in Bhubaneswar where visitors will get an opportunity to savour the popular dessert apart from being treated to cultural programmes including music and dance.
The festival is being held on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sudarsan Sahoo, believed to have first prepared the cheese dessert, they said. The purpose of the festival is to make Odisha’s famous Chhena Poda more popular.
Eminent persons including MLAs Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Arun Kumar Sahoo, Satyanarayan Pradhan and Ramesh Chandra Behera, noted litterateur Dash Benhur and musician Tansen Singh will attend the event as guests. Nayagarh Vikas Manch convenor Subhranshu Panda will preside.
During the festival, Chhena Poda music, composed and choreographed by Abhijit Mishra, will be released. It describes the history, traditions, culture, festivals and great men of Nayagarh, besides narrating the significance of Chhena Poda.
The forum has been making efforts for the last two years to secure GI (Geographical Recognition) status for Chhena Poda and the campaign will be further intensified, the organisers said.
It may be noted here that the district administration in Nayagarh has asked all the Odisha government offices to celebrate “World Chhena Poda Day” on April 11.
Nayagarh district administration has already applied for GI tag to ‘Chhena Poda’, a popular baked cheese dessert of Odisha.
Born on April 11, 1931 at Satapatana under Daspalla block in Nayagarh district, Sudarshan had moved out of his village and set up a sweet stall in the heart of Nayagarh in 1947. Along with his father Bidyadhar Sahoo, he came up with the recipe of this great delicacy. Chhena Poda gained popularity and became a symbol of Odia culture and identity.
