Chilika Shelduck Folk Carnival: Ex-Odisha CM Giridhari Gomango’s ‘Changu’ A Big Hit

Berhampur: ODIART Centre, nestling on the bank of Chilika Lake and showcasing traditional, folk and tribal arts of Odisha, has attracted distant hearts for the ‘8th Chilika Shelduck Folk Carnival’.

The five-day carnival, which will continue till December 14, aims to promote tribal culture and hidden talents.

Ashwini Kumar Patra, Minister of Tourism, Odia Language, Excise, Literature and Culture, inaugurated the carnival in the presence of Dr Lenin Mohanty, Chairman OTDC, Padma Bhushan Rajeev Sethi, among others.

Intellectual discussions, live performances of folk music, dance and other performances are being held at the Centre’s amphitheatre.

Art curator and scenographer Padma Bhushan Rajeev Sethi, Bengali novelist Manoranjan Byapari, Prof. Annapurna Pande from University of California, South Korean artist Park Yeon-Ock, Saora artist Ravi Savara, Sudhir Maharana and Patta painter Surendra Nath Sahu Patta participated in the deliberations.

Among the subjects being discussed during the carnival are folk paintings of Korea and India, tribal tales and cinematic arts, rhythms in traditional music and modernisation of handicrafts. The audience is being entertained by performances of folk dance by Rajasthani troupe, Pala, Daskathia, Odia kirtan, Puchi, Hulahuli, Sankha nada, Bahuna Geeta, Danga Bhasa Geeta, Bird Sound, Bagha Nata and Prahallad Natak.

Former Odisha chief minister Giridhari Gomango playing the tribal instrument ‘Changu’ drew a lot of appreciation. As did Ravanchhaya by Prof. Gouranga Das, vocal songs by Associate Professor MKCG Dr Chandan Gantayat and banker Debasish Mahapatra and Bharatnatyam by Dr Kanika Das.

Established on a sprawling 5-acre land at Barkul, around 200 metres from Panthanivas, ODIART Centre houses Purvasha Museum which is designed as a space for displaying the rich art heritage of Odisha.

The museum has free entry and is attracting a lot of attention.

A ‘Pupil Museum Resort’, comprising six bamboo huts, was inaugurated during the carnival’ at ODIART Centre for visitors to stay in the art village.

“We have set up this centre keeping tourists’ inflow in mind. We can attract the tourists and researchers and help them to spend quality time here. They can get an extra destination during their Chilika trip and we can promote our art, culture and heritage,” said Sudhir Rout, vice chairman ODIART Centre.