‘Mahuri Mahotsav’ To Promote Folk Arts To Take Off In Odisha’s Berhampur On Dec 7

Berhampur: In order to promote the folk art, a two-day “Mahuri Mahotsav” will be held in Berhampur of Odisha’s Ganjam district on December 7 and 8.

The cultural festival is organised by a committee comprising folk art enthusiasts and promoters. Giving details of the festival at a presser here on Wednesday, Dr Sanyasi Maharana, chairman of the festival committee, said it would be held at Biju Patnaik Sanskruti Bhavan Hillpatna in the city.

“We are focusing on promoting the artists of Danda Chadheiya, Gahana, Daskathia, Bagha Nata, Pilakhai Dahani, Ghumra, Ranapa, Choda Gajia and other folk art forms. We want to provide them an appropriate forum to showcase their talent,” he said.

Rameswari Nanda, cultural coordinator, said the concept is folk art, folk song and Chanda and Chaupadi. No modern concept would be allowed in the festival, she added.

Competitions would also be held on events like traditional jhoti, pithau (rice dough) and rangoli, drawing, essay, debate and vocal rendition of Odissi and Chanda as an initiative to promote folk art and culture, they added.

The committee had launched Lok Kala Mahotsav in 2022. But it changed the name of the festival to “Mahuri Mahotsav” this year to make it more vibrant.

‘Mahuri’ or ‘Mukha Bina’ is a wind instrument made of wood and metal. It holds a special place in the cultural traditions of Odisha. It is used in religious ceremonies, weddings, sacred thread ceremony, social events, and auspicious occasions.

It is considered a ‘Mangala Badya’ (auspicious instrument) and hence, is often found in folk theatres like Rama Nataka and dances like Chhau.