Gopalpur: The second evening of the ongoing Gopalpur Beach Festival unfolded on Wednesday with grandeur, blending cultural artistry and marine beauty against the backdrop of the Bay of Bengal.
The event was inaugurated by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest and lauded the festival as “one of the finest in the country.”
Pujari, recalling his long association with Gopalpur and Ganjam district, expressed admiration for the revival of the festival after a two-year hiatus. He highlighted the unique charm of the sea aarti and the seamless arrangements, noting that the confluence of art, literature, and marine splendour makes the festival unparalleled. He further emphasised Ganjam’s legacy of courage and struggle, voicing hope that the district will continue to produce brave sons to build a modern and empowered Odisha.
Commerce & Transport and Steel & Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, the chief architect of the festival, noted that the devotional sea aarti performed by priests from Varanasi has emerged as the biggest attraction. He praised the role of electronic, print, and social media in amplifying the festival’s reach across the globe.
Exhibitions by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard also received appreciation for showcasing maritime strength and discipline.
The evening witnessed a splendid confluence of local and national folk dances, alongside musical performances by Maithali Thakur, Sohini Mishra, Rahul Sipligunj and Shashank Shekhar, whose melodious voices captivated the audience amidst the soothing sea breeze. The stage, dedicated to Kabisurya Baladev Rath, became a platform for diverse dance forms including Odissi, Kalbelia (Rajasthan), Lavani (Maharashtra), Sambalpuri, Bihu (Assam), Ghumar Chakri Kalbelia, Mallakhamb, tribal dances and Bollywood freestyle, leaving spectators mesmerized.
The event was also attended by Chhatrapur MLA Krushna Chandra Nayak, Berhampur Mayor Sanghamitra Dalei, Zilla Parishad Chairperson Anjali Swain and Gopalpur NAC Chairman A. Janaki Ram, among others. District officials including Collector V. Keerthi Vasan, SP Shubhendu Patra, BMC Commissioner Prathamesh Arvind Rajsirke and Sub-Collector Abinash Kumar supervised arrangements, ensuring smooth conduct of the festival.
