Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) on Wednesday announced the launch of the Ekamra Utsav, a festival on Odia language and culture.
The details of the Utsav were furnished at a press conference attended by Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das, BDA vice-chairman Balwant Singh, Director, Fisheries, Siddique Alam, BMC Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange and Secretary, BDA, Kabindra Kumar Sahoo.
The festival will be held from February 3 to 9 coinciding with the state government’s first “Biswa Odia Bhasha Sammilani” (World Odia Language Conference).
Comprising three distinct components, the Utsav promises a diverse array of experiences. The main event, Sangitara Murchana, will be organised at the IDCO Exhibition ground, featuring performances by acclaimed artists. Following is the fixture of programmes:
(Opening) 3rd February – Smruti Tume Akshay Mohanty Evening
4th February – Sangitara Tale Tale by Anuradha Paudwal, Suresh Wadkar
5th February – Abhula Atita by Ananaya Sritam Nanda
6th February – Bhasa Hi Bhabisyata by Aruna Mohanty, Kuna Tripathy
7th February – Basantara Swara by Ruturaj Mohapatra & Sona Mohapatra
8th February – Murchana Ra Bhinna Eka Sandhya by Sonu Nigam
9th February – Tume Chanhila Boli by Jubin Nautial
In addition to Sangitara Murchana, the festival will feature food festival. “Ama Byanjan”, offering wide array of Odisha cuisine. Hosted at the IDCO Exhibition Ground, the food area will serve as a community hub, complete with experience zones and a flea market. Visitors can also enjoy other cuisines including continental.
The Ekamra Haat (Night Flea Market of Ekamra Utsav) is scheduled from February 3 to 9 at Ekamra Expo Area in Bhubaneswar. It will showcase cultural vibrancy of Odia heritage against the city’s lively backdrop from 4 pm to 11 pm.
Besides, a drone show will be held on February 7, 8 and 9 on Odia language, art and culture. As many as 200 drones will be used for this purpose. In order to promote language, the Madhusudan Marg leading to the venue will also display designs based on Odia language, art and culture.
Ekamra Utsav will honour the legacy and ancient roots of the Odia language through an exhibition on the Odia alphabet. Besides, the third edition of Bhubaneswar Kahani Utsav (Bhubaneswar Festival of Storytelling) will be organised from February 3 to 5.
Spread across four distinct locations in the city at Indira Gandhi Park, Odisha Crafts Museum Kalabhoomi, APJ Abdul Kalam Park in Kalinga Nagar and Budha Jayanti Park in Niladr Vihar, this event will feature renowned storytellers including Kuna Tripathy, Akash Dasnayak, Ushashi Mishra, and Meera Parida.
