Chilika Shelduck Folk Carnival-2023 Takes Off In Odisha’s Barkul

Berhampur: The Chilika Shelduck Folk Carnival-2023 took off on the premises of Odi Art Centre at Barkul near Balugoan in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Friday.

The 9th edition of the carnival was inaugurated by renowned craftsman and expert on Pattachitra painting Sudhir Kumar Maharana. The 5-day festival, showcasing Odisha’s art, culture and heritage will continue till November 28.

On the inaugural evening, the audience were treated to live performance of folk music, dance and other programmes at the amphitheatre of the Odi Art. Performance of Sahi Yatra of Puri, Mask Dance of Suyeong Yaru Conservation Association by South Korea artists, Animal Dance of Bhanjanagar, Purulia Chau of West Bengal, Mask Dance of Athamallik, Jhumar Dance of Jharkhand and group dance by Athamallik artists enthralled the audience.

The unique feature of the festival is that the visitors can interacts with the artists of different programmes. “Our whole purpose is to promote culture. We administered oaths to more than 50 students and Koreans near the ‘Nabagunjara’ idol to promote our heritage and keep up the verbosity of our culture,” said Prasanna Kumar Das, founder of Odi Art Centre.

He said Odi Art Lok Kala Sanskruti Samman will be conferred on octogenarian Pattachitra painter Benudhar Mahapatra on Sunday.

Workshops on different forms of crafts including terracotta, gond, glass work, beads work, Kaincha work, Pattachitra painting and technical session on different topics on heritage and culture by experts will be featured during the festival.

Besides, Odissi and Sambalpuri dance by Saswat Joshi and Groupe, Lavani, Mayurbhanj Chhau dance, Sikkim Mask Dance, Dhemsa and Benta Nrutya by Nawarangpur artists are scheduled on different days of the carnival.

Traditional games competition for women of the local community like Matka race, Thia Puchi and Basa Puchi, Hulhuli & Sankha (conch blowing) and musical chair will also be organised.

Pradosh Chandra Mohanty, Sudhir Rout and Manas Ranjan Patnaik, chairman, vice-chairman and secretary of Odi Art Centre respectively were present at the inaugural evening.

The Odi Art Centre is situated around 200 metre from Barakul Pantha Nivas. It houses Purvasha Museum which is designed as a space for displaying the rich art heritage of Odisha. More than 1000 artefacts have been displayed in 16 galleries of the museum.