Bhubaneswar: Odisha Parba, the three-day festival showcasing various vibrant cultural traditions of Odia community, will kick start on March 9 at Lawn No-6, India Gate in New Delhi.
The festival will bring alive the socio-cultural ethos of Odisha in the heart of National capital region of our country. In the 2ndedition of this mega affair, the organizer, ‘Odia Samaj’, through prominent Odias’ voluntary efforts, has put together a grand platform where the citizens from every nook and corner of Delhi NCR can witness the unique culture, heritage, traditions, dance, melody, culinary delights, along with illustrious history and freedom struggle of Odisha under one spectrum.
To commemorate the life of martyrs from Odisha, this year’s theme is- “Odisha’s struggle against British Rule from 1804-1947.” An exclusive exhibition on this theme will highlight the rebellion led by Jayee Raj Guru, Buxi Jagabandhu. The festival will also throw light on rebellions from the nooks and corners of Odisha like Ghumsur, Parlakhemundi, Banpur, Nayagarh, Daspalla, Keonjhar etc. Emphasis will also be given to Odisha’s contribution to Gandhiji’s Non Cooperation Movement, Salt Satyagraha, Quit India Movement etc. and the vital role played by Panchshakha. Multi-projection of films will trace Odias’ struggle against British rule, which is sure to engage the crowd. A Coffee Table Book dedicated to the Valour of the Odias will also be unveiled.
Spreading over an area of 2 lakh 60 thousand sq. ft., Odisha Parba will showcase the ancient history and culture of Odisha in a retrospective way. To enthral the congregated masses, the Odisha Parba’s entrance gate will be the replica of ‘Dola Bimana’, which represents the resplendent ‘Dola Yatra’- the popular festival of colours in Odisha. Intricate appliqué and pattachitra designs will add new colours to this decorum. A grand stage will be set up where high relief work of Barabati Fort in the backdrop will evoke the glorious past of Odisha.
Besides, a sculpture gallery by internationally renowned sculptor Padma Shree Sudarshan Sahoo shall showcase the rich legacy of Odisha at OdishaParba forum.
‘Hasta Shilpa Haat’ – the handicraft and handloom section in the festival, will be the treasure trove of renowned Odishan tradition and famous textiles. Live demo on making of Dhokra, Appliqué, Stone Sculpture, Pattachitra and Paper Mache by award winning artisans and weavers are sure to be a grand hit amongst both Odia and non-Odia residents of Delhi. Odisha’s traditional handloom Sarees and dress materials from Kotpad, Barpalli, Bargarh, Berhampur, Nuapatna and Cuttack, besides Khorda Lungi and Gamchha, shall be on sale during the festival.
Dance and music shows featuring Odisha’s various traditional Folk, Odissi, fusion and contemporary flavour will enthral the heart of India. ‘OdiaPaika’ dance by Pravat Kumar Swain, Odissi by Padma Shree Aruna Mohanty, stand up comedy by comedy monarch Kuna Tripathy, contemporary music band by Krishna Beura, Abhijit Majumdar, Premanand, Susmita Das, Diptirekha, Chitrabhanu Mohanty, Antara Chakraborty, Sohini Mishra, Preetinanda Routray, Bishnu Mohan Kabi, Satyajit Pradhan, Biswajit Mohaptra, Mughal Tamsa (Odia play) by Bansi Ballav Giridhari Natya Sansad, Bhadrak and many other cultural items will give an impetus to the cultural evenings.
According to President, Odia Samaj Sidhartha Pradhan, this year also, food lovers will get to taste scrumptious Odia delicacies like traditional Odia Meetha, Peetha, Badi, Papad, Aachar, Ghuguni, Dahibara, Chat, Odia thali and Odia Paan.
The entire food court will be designed in a fort style, reflecting the ambiance of “Baarah Maasi Terah Parba”, which reflects Odisha’s passion for festivals in one calendar year. Anchor of popular Odia cookery show “Puntu Nananka Peta Jatra”, the much-loved Puntu Nana shall also be present in the food zone to interact with the visitors and spread cheer among them. An exclusive stall shall offer ‘Jagannath Bhog’, as a blessing of the Almighty, Pradhan said.
To engage children in the saga of Odia culture, painting competition ‘Aakar’ for below 18 years age group will be conducted at this venue on the theme “Spirit of Odisha”. A fashion show presenting the intricate weaving of Odishan textiles shall be staged during Odisha Parba. The show shall be orchestrated by President, Fashion Design Council of India Sunil Sethi,
