Riyadh: Over 200 families from Odisha residing in Saudi Arabia celebrated Odisha Day with cultural programmes in Dammam, last week.
The Odisha Association of Saudi Arabia, Kalingan, organized the Annual Function 2018 – Utkala Dibasa on April 13.
The event began with the iconic Odia patriotic song ‘Bande Utkala Janani’. It was followed by an Odissi recital ‘Mangalacharana’ by Sara Sheikh.
Odia industrialist Bhumiputra Dr. Deb Mohanty was the chief guest, while Ollywood actor Amlan Das graced the occasion as guest of honour.
The event featured Odisha’s dance, music, handicrafts, fashion and food. Children, men and women performed on various Odia, Sambalpuri and Bollywood songs.
Coordinators of the event Santosh Das, Sarafat Sheikh and Jyotirmay Dash said the objective behind organising the programme is to spread the magic of Odia culture on this foreign land. They hoped that this effort will contribute to enhanced interest in Odisha and in some way towards development of the state. It also helps Odias, living far away from odisha state, bond, they added.
